WARRINGTON forward Jack Hughes is hoping the use of a cricketer's protective box will help him recover from a ruptured testicle in time to play at Wembley.
The England Knights captain underwent emergency surgery 17 days ago but is confident he will be fit for Saturday's Coral Challenge Cup final against St Helens.
Hughes suffered the horrific injury during the Wolves' Super League defeat by Catalans Dragons in Perpignan on August 3, rekindling memories of another Warrington forward, Paul Wood, rupturing a testicle during the club's Grand Final defeat by Leeds in 2012.
Wood, who had the testicle removed, recovered sufficiently in time to start the next season but Hughes is hoping to be back playing within three weeks and says he has been restored to normal.
READ > From watching in the stand to playing at Wembley
"Having spoken to a couple of people who have had similar surgery, they tend to recover pretty quick," Hughes said.
"I had a pretty steady 10 days afterwards. I just took my time, no running. Then I started a bit of weights and 12 days post surgery I had my stitches out and since then I've felt a lot better.
"I ran at the weekend to test myself out and I felt okay. So I'll put a bit of protection on, similar to the box the cricketers wear, up my intensity and test myself with some contact."
Hughes was kneed in the groin 20 minutes into the game against the Dragons but played on for another half-and-hour before finally succumbing to the pain.
"Initially I thought it was just a heavy knock," he recalled. "It was pretty painful and I couldn't get up for a few minutes.
"It eased off, like it does, and I thought I'd be alright. I carried on in the second half but the swelling was getting worse so I thought I'd best come off and get myself checked out.
"The doctor sent me straight to hospital where I had an ultrasound and within an hour the surgeon told me I needed urgent surgery because I'd ruptured a third of my testicles.
"He got me in quick and got it repaired and thankfully I've still got the two intact."
Warrington coach Steve Price hailed the player's courage but insists he will not take any risks.
"Jack's a very tough guy," Price said. "I haven't come across too many guys who are as resilient.
"To play 50 minutes with a ruptured testicle is unheard of and that was only two and a half weeks ago.
"Hopefully he's right but he's still got a few things to get through. If I feel he's right mentally and physically then he'll play on Saturday."
Price has promised to make a decision on the fitness of Hughes and his other injury doubts - Blake Austin, Josh Charnley and Stef Ratchford - at the captain's run at Wembley on Friday but Hughes says he will know his fate before then.
"It's probably not the kind of thing you would risk but I'm confident when I test myself in training this week that I'll be fine for Saturday," Hughes added.
"I'll train Thursday and test myself out and I'll be honest with myself and the coaches."
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