Wigan lifeline for Hardaker

DISGRACED Zak Hardaker is expected to be handed a lifeline by Wigan after being sacked by Castleford yesterday.

The England full-back tested positive for cocaine towards the end of last season and subsequently missed the Tigers’ maiden Grand Final appearance against Leeds.

He is awaiting punishment from UK Anti-Doping and is likely to land a two-year ban. But Wigan are long-term admirers of the 26-year-old and are set to hand him a contract when his punishment is served.

The Warriors stood by Gareth Hock during a two-year suspension for cocaine use and the forward went on to rebuild his career and earn an England recall. Rated as one of the finest talents in the British game, Hardaker was in sensational form last season after joining Castleford from Leeds. He helped the Tigers to finish top for the first time in HARDAKER their 91-year history but they flopped badly in the Grand Final without him. Hardaker is believed to have been working as a labourer recently and the saga is also thought to have led to the departure of Castleford chief executive Steve Gill. WORLD No1 Mark Selby says he is suffering from self-doubt after scraping into the second round of the World Grand Prix in Preston.

The reigning and three-time world champion was badly out of sorts against world No35 Jimmy Robertson but scrambled a 4-3 victory.

Selby, who now faces Neil Robertson today for a place in the quarter-finals, said: “I played very poorly and it probably comes from a bit of doubt after early losses at other tournaments.”