What Sam Burgess said after George Williams trained today
WARRINGTON Wolves skipper George Williams trained today.
He is ahead of schedule with his recovery from surgery and his eyes remain firmly fixed on pulling on the Wire shirt in the Challenge Cup Final against Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley on Saturday, June 7.
These remain early days and Williams still has work to do to be available for selection, but the signs are positive that Warrington's most lethal weapon could give his side a massive boost and be on the field for the showpiece decider.
Head coach Sam Burgess has commended the England star's drive in his bid to win his fitness race.
Williams has missed the last six matches following surgery for ruptured ankle ligaments but in early May he made it known that he was setting the cup final as his return date, should The Wire overcome Leigh Leopards in the semi-finals – which they did.
'He's really pushed the boundaries on his programme and he's ahead of schedule,' said Burgess.
'It's a 10-week injury, and the Wembley game would be about seven-and-a-half weeks.
'Regardless of whether he plays or not next week, he's done a great job in pushing the boundaries on his own performance and his own ability to recover.
'Also the medical staff have seen that the goal posts can be shifted at times. Where there's a will there's a way.
'There is a bit of time between now and then. He's got to get the practise done. He's trained today and he looked to be moving ok so we'll see how he goes.
'George made a commitment that he won't leave a stone unturned and he's not.
'He's really attacked his rehab and the club have been very good.
'He's got a good relationship with Nick Murphy (head physio) and Ade Gardner (head of performance), so they've thought outside the box and they've gone far and wide to push him as hard as they can without making him break down.
'So he'll come back in some good shape hopefully.'
More: Trio set to return for Wire's Cas clash, but two to miss out
When Williams spoke about his injury and surgery on Sky Sports' The Bench podcast in early May, he revealed he is following a programme aimed at shaving time off his recovery – one that has never been successfully completed by a rugby league player.
'Eight to 10 weeks is what they normally say but we're following a programme that Leinster rugby union have used that gets players back in seven,' he said.
'That's the goal for me – I've had two weeks off already after surgery and it's five weeks until Wembley if we get there.
'That would be seven weeks and two days – it's been done before but I think only two players have managed that, and they're both rugby union players.
'I think the posh word for it is 'syndesmosis' and it's basically ruptured ankle ligaments.
'I did a Grade Two – which isn't a full rupture but a tear – in Round One last year, so it was basically a ticking time bomb for me.
'If you've already got little tears in there then the same movement will eventually snap it, which is what happened to me.'
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