After a horror injury, insists he didn’t fear about his future - because he was just concentrating on being able to walk properly again.

The veteran second-row is thankfully nearing his comeback after nine months out with a shocking ankle fracture dislocation. He was crocked last April from an illegal challenge that saw .

Isa missed the rest of the campaign with quadruple-winning Warriors and faced a long, arduous road back to fitness. He was also out of contract at the end of the season and, due to turn 36 on New Year’s Day, it would have been understandable if a new deal might not come his way.

But boss Matt Peet gave the hard-working forward another one-year contract in October and now the popular Aucklander is preparing for his tenth campaign with Wigan. On whether he did worry about getting that extension, Isa insisted: “Not really. It was a one.

“The main thing for me was trying to get the ankle right. Everything is geared around making sure my ankle is right to the best of its ability to give myself every chance.

“It’s about getting it right for performance but also right as a human being. Of course I’m contracted to play rugby league - but I want to be able to walk normally which is the key thing.

“Obviously, I wanted to make sure I could compete - but also be able to walk into shopping centres and go for a coffee, not this year or next year but the year after and make sure I’m alright. Maybe because I’m a bit older now, the contract side of it wasn’t the main thing.”

With Wigan due to begin their title defence against Leigh on February 13, the vastly-experienced Isa is looking in good nick again.

He said: “I’m progressing really well. I had my first team session the other day which was cool. I don’t know if I’d call it relief - and I only played a little part in training - but it was a big win for me.

“I’m feeling good. I’ve never had this injury before and a few people said some things about it. But I’ve always come back from injuries well. And I love the journey.”

After helping Wigan beat his old club Penrith in the World Club Challenge last February, Isa was a frustrated spectator as they made history adding the Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League trophy.

But he played an important role off the field, including helping mentor his replacement Junior Nsemba, who went on to win Super League Young Player of the Year and an England debut.

Isa said: “ He’s a top player. The main thing for me, and people in the community here realise this, is Junior comes from a good family, which is really key. His mum and dad have done a brilliant job with him. He’s full of humility and is a guy who loves to have a big smile on his face which is cool.

"I was elevated a few years back as a leader and, with the injury, I wanted to play a part in the team in some other way. The one-to-one stuff I love but also leading in the group. I make sure our principles stay intact as a club in performance and as people. Junior does it to the young guys coming up now. It’s not something I take it for granted but it’s a responsibility."

Isa, of course, must now try and get his second-row spot back from Nsemba who has emerged as not just one of the best young talents in Super League but the across the . With captain Liam Farrell and ex-Leeds forward Sam Walters also in the mix, Peet is spoiled for choice. Isa said: "You wouldn’t be at Wigan if it wasn’t about competition.

"But I don’t see it like that with me personally. I just see it as me just playing my role. But also he [Nsemba] needs to do better as well. It’s not about the Junior of 2024. It’s about the Junior of 2025, '26 and '27. That’s key. And we’ll see how he goes. He’s still got to grow yet."