The eagerly-awaited clash between Willie Mason and England forward Stuart Fielden will be delayed for a year after the Wigan prop was ruled out for up to four months of the Super League season with a knee injury.

Mason, who famously knocked Fielden out with a single punch during the 2006 Tri Nations Series in Sydney, spoke of his desire for a re-match during his first press conference as a Hull KR player.

"I can't wait," said Mason, who revealed that Fielden had refused to shake his hand at the end of that match five years ago.

Rovers' first meeting with Wigan is at Craven Park on April 15, with the return fixture at the DW Stadium on May 27, but Fielden will miss both games after undergoing knee surgery.

Wigan coach Michael Maguire said: "It is unfortunate for Stuart and the club that he will be out of action for such a long length of time.

"The knee has required surgery and, although the operation was successful, recovery and full rehab will take between 12 and 16 weeks.

"It is a blow to lose such an experienced player from the side but it will provide an opportunity for someone else in the squad to seize their chance."

Fielden, who made his international comeback in the 2010 Four Nations, missed Wigan's opening game of Engage Super League XVI against St Helens after undergoing knee surgery in the close season and aggravated the injury playing against his former club Bradford last month.

Meanwhile, Wigan centre Martin Gleeson is thought to have flown to Australia to escape the controversy over his apparent sacking.

Wigan officials are remaining tight-lipped about the future for the former St Helens and Warrington player, who has almost certainly played his last game for the club after an apparent breach of contract.

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