Lindsay Surgery Delays Takeover

The uncertainty over Wigan's future will last at least another week with their owner, Dave Whelan, out of the country and his chairman, Maurice Lindsay, in hospital. Ian Lenagan, the Wigan-born majority shareholder of Harlequins, is expected to complete his takeover within the next month but negotiations struck another delay over the weekend when Lindsay was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery on a perforated gall bladder.

Lindsay, 66, had cited failing health as one of his reasons for stepping down after Wigan's shock defeat by Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup semi-final last month. But he remains determined to make his farewell appearance at the JJB Stadium in the last game of the season against St Helens on September 14. The change of ownership could have been finalized by then, although negotiations were never going to be simple as they include any future rent the club pays to use the JJB Stadium and their new Orrell training base, both of which are owned by Whelan.

Wigan's Great Britain forward Gareth Hock will be missing until at least the play-offs, if they qualify, after yesterday being ruled out with a broken hand sustained in their draw at Harlequins on August 18.

Huddersfield have signed the New Zealand Warriors hooker George Gatis on a two-year contract to replace Brad Drew, who will join Wakefield next season.