Warrington have suffered a major blow ahead of the new Super League season, losing new marquee signing Gareth Widdop through injury.

The 30-year-old England international, who has joined Warrington on a three-year contract from St George Illawarra, rolled his ankle in training and is likely to miss the start of the season.

Warrington, who kick off the 2020 campaign with a home game against 2018 champions Wigan on January 30, say with Widdop’s current prognosis, he is looking at a return around round four.

The injury to Widdop, who played in all four games on the Great Britain Lions tour to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in the autumn, comes almost 12 months to the day since his predecessor and fellow England halfback Kevin Brown suffered a torn Achilles which ruled him out for the season.

Brown has since recovered and has joined Salford, with Widdop being handed the No.7 shirt by coach Steve Price for the new season.

Widdop’s absence is likely to mean another run in the first team for Dec Patton, who deputised for Brown throughout 2019.