WARRINGTON will be without utility player Simon Grix for Sunday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final against Catalans Dragons after he was struck down by a severe bout of pneumonia.

The 24-year-old centre or loose forward was taken into intensive care and given oxygen after falling ill following the team’s return from France 10 days ago and remains in a hospital in his home town of Halifax.

“It was quite serious,” said Warrington head coach Tony Smith. “He picked up a viral strain and it’s knocked him for six.

“It happened not long after we came back from France. Whether he got it in travel or transit, we’re not sure. We can’t pinpoint it exactly.”

Grix, who played at loose forward in the Wolves’ earlier Cup wins over Featherstone, Huddersfield and Bradford, missed last Saturday’s Super League defeat by St Helens but could be back for Wembley at the end of the month as long as Warrington overcome the Catalans at the Stobart Stadium.

“He’ll be out for a few weeks yet,” added Smith. “He’s improving but it’s been quite severe and he’s been in intensive care for a little while. He’s close to coming out, probably today or tomorrow. We’re all feeling for him at the minute but we’ll expect him back to full health in a few weeks’ time. He’ll be back better and stronger in no time.”

The unfortunate Grix also missed last year’s final victory over Huddersfield after damaging a shoulder in the match before the Wolves’ semi-final win over Wigan.

The holders will also be without long-term injury victims Chris Bridge and Mickey Higham but reported no major damage from Saturday’s gruelling match against Saints. That was Warrington’s second successive defea.