Wigan Warriors wing Josh Charnley believes that Ben Flower deserves to be welcomed back to Super League action with open arms, following his six-month ban for punching St Helens's Lance Hohaia.
The incident took place in last year's Grand Final at Old Trafford, with the Welshman lashing out at his opponent to land the hefty suspension.
Flower is due to make his return to the sport this week when Wigan take on Warrington Wolves, and Charnley admits that his teammate's return will provide a big boost to the dressing room.
"Ben Flower has been through hell ahead of his comeback on Thursday and trust me, what he has been subjected to has made him a better and stronger person," he wrote in his Manchester Evening News column.
"I have been with him and have proof of this. Ben really is a top quality bloke - one of the very best in fact. He knows he has to live with what he did in last year's Grand Final for the rest of his life but we all make mistakes and we must all move on. Ben has served his time and punishment.
"Let him now get on with his life and career I say. One hundred percent commitment is guaranteed from Ben the moment he steps onto the field against Warrington. He is a very popular figure in our dressing room, a really good mate and we have stood by him. I honestly feel what Ben has been through has definitely made him an even better and much stronger person."
Flower admitted earlier this week that he deeply regrets the incident, which saw him docked 50% of his wages for the duration of his ban.
Daniel Lewis
