Wigan coach Shaun Wane has revealed he will recall Ben Flower to his struggling Super League team as soon as his six-month ban is up . The Wales international prop forward is a fortnight away from completing the second longest suspension in the history of Super League , imposed last October for twice punching St Helens half-back Lance Hohaia in the opening moments of the Grand Final at Old Trafford . After missing two pre-season trials , Wigan 's World Club Series clash with Brisbane Broncos and the first 10 games of the league campaign , Flower will be free to make his return in the Super League derby with Warrington at the DW Stadium on Thursday April 11 . Wigan Warriors player Ben Flower was banned after attacking St Helens half-back Lance Hohaia . Flower is given his marching orders by the referee after the clash in the Super League Grand Final in October . Wigan coach Shaun Wane says Flower will return for his struggling team once his ban comes to an end . Wane has a policy of re-introducing players through partner club Workington following lengthy lay-offs , but says his hand has been forced by his team 's disappointing start to the season and the shortage of front-row options . Dom Crosby and Ryan Sutton are currently injured , leaving Lee Mossop as the Warriors ' only specialist prop , and Wane has been forced to use utility forwards Tony Clubb , Larne Patrick and Taulima Tautai as front-row options . 'It would have been hard to drop one of our middles if we had won every game but , as it stands now , it 's not that hard , ' Wane said . ' I 've looked at him in training and he 's ready to go . I would n't have thrown him in straight away had things panned out differently . It 's definitely dictated the way we 've approached things with him over the last couple of months . ' Flower walks off the pitch after his sending off at Old Trafford last year . Flower , who missed out on the club 's pre-season trip to the United States , underwent knee surgery during his enforced absence and has stepped up his training under head conditioner Mark Bitcon . 'He 's fit , ' Wane said . 'Mark Bitcon has done a great job with him . His knee is good so everything he had done is spot on . ' I 'm confident I can put him back in . I just need to put three middles on the bench and that will cover him . '
FlowerBen Flower was banned for six months after attack on Lance Hohaia . Prop forward was sent off after punch during Super League Grand Final . Ben Flower 's ban comes to an end in a fortnight and he will be recalled . Shaun Wane 's Wigan Warriors team are struggling in the league .