However, he resumed full training this week and is hoping to get the nod from coach Brian Noble to return for the first of eight matches left in the regular season.

“I’ve got a pretty good chance if all goes well in training,” said O’Loughlin. “I did a little bit last week and it was all right.

“It will be eight weeks this week but it doesn’t feel like I’ve been out that long. I think that’s because we’ve not had many home games. I’ve only missed two home games, the rest have been away.”

A broken shoulder is a rare injury but O’Loughlin discovered the same fate befell one of his Wigan team-mates.

“George Carmont did it back in Australia but it is an unusual one,” he said.

“That’s why initially I thought I was going to be out longer. There was a bit of the unknown but it’s all gone well.

“I don’t really know how I did it. I kind of handed someone off and got my arm in a funny position and felt it slightly pop at the back. It was the tip of my shoulder that snapped.

“I just had to give it time to heal. I had a scan three weeks ago and they said it was all good. It was just a matter of getting the shoulder strong and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

O’Loughlin played in all four of Great Britain’s matches against France and New Zealand in 2007 and would most likely have been in England’s squad for the recent international against the French in Toulouse.

The tough-tackling back-rower, who is the brother-in-law of former Wigan and Great Britain captain Andy Farrell, now has time to make a push for a place in England coach Tony Smith’s World Cup squad.

“It would be a bonus if I get in the squad at the end of the year,” he said. “I’m just concentrating on trying to get some form for my club. If all goes well, the rest will look after itself.

“I definitely hope I do – I would love to be on the tour – but I’m not really looking too far forward. At the minute I’m just looking to get back to winning ways with the club again.”

In his absence, Wigan have been led by Australian stand-off Trent Barrett but O’Loughlin is hoping to be handed back the captaincy by Noble.

“That’s Nobby’s call,” he said. “I definitely love to captain the club and hopefully I will have it back.”

O’Loughlin could line up alongside Wigan’s new recruit Tim Smith on Sunday after the Australian half-back finally arrived in the country following lengthy delays due to red tape.

The 23-year-old Smith, who has agreed a deal until the end of 2009, is seen as a replacement for Barrett when he leaves at the end of the season.

Smith was released by Parramatta Eels two months ago after requesting “time out” to avoid the glare of publicity in Sydney following a number of alcohol-related incidents.

He has been diagnosed with depression but was tempted back into the game by the Warriors, who are confident they can help the troubled star get his career back on track.