TONY Smith is confident Simon Grix leaving Warrington Wolves for Wakefield on loan until the end of the season is a deal that suits all parties.

The 29-year-old has not played since suffering a spiral fracture to his leg in Wolves’ win at St Helens last September.

Grix, who has been using rehabilitation facilities at Manchester City, hopes to make a return for the Middle 8s-bound side before the end of the season.

Despite the deal being finalised before the Super League transfer deadline, the former Halifax man will stay at Wolves until he completes his recovery.

“He’s getting closer,” said Smith, the club’s head of coaching and rugby.

“Man City have been good enough for him to train on the underwater treadmill which takes all the weight off.

“He’s just about done on that and will go on to running on regular surfaces at full weight, so he’s getting closer.

“The big issue has been a nerve in his calf because he’s been immobile for so long, sometimes the nerve ends shut down and you’ve got to wait for them.

“There isn’t anything in particular that you can do apart from to stimulate around that area and hope they switch back on – there are some positive signs at the moment.”

Warrington Guardian:

Smith said the sidelined forward remains in good spirits and could become a valuable asset for Wakefield.

He is also confident Grix will get ‘quality coaching’ at the Yorkshire club, where Smith's brother Brian took over earlier in the season.

“We sat down with Simon and he’s been great, we’ve been great for each other because we’ve supported him throughout this,” added the 48-year-old.

“We pretty much agreed the likelihood of him being able to get back to be ready to play Super League this year is unlikely.

“For him to be back and play in some pressured matches, it’s not likely to happen. Given the opportunity for Wakefield, they’ve got nothing to lose.

“If he gets back they’ve got an extra player and a quality player, a good leader. He could be a real asset to them.

Warrington Guardian:

“He’s keen for that to happen, but he’ll carry on his rehabbing with us. He’s getting the best medical attention and rehab attention at our place.

“If and when he gets close to playing, it’s a great opportunity for him. He’ll get some quality coaching there and the coach will get a senior player who can handle pressure and has played in big matches.

“It’s a win-win for Simon, otherwise if he got back the chances are he wouldn’t play again here this season.

“He’s confident he can get back on the field but he’s also real enough to know he’s probably not going to push too many out of the way in our team.

“So we had to do it before the cut off date, we agreed to do it then and I think it suits all concerned.”