LOGAN Swann is set to make his Warrington Wolves comeback in a potentially explosive head-to-head battle with fellow Kiwi Stephen Kearney.

The contest between two giants of New Zealand Rugby League should add extra spice when third-placed Hull FC come to town on Sunday looking to maintain the impressive hold they have over Warrington.

Powerful running and skilful handling of six-footers Swann and Kearney have terrorised the best defences in the world for a combined total of 73 Test matches but they are lining up to play against each other for the first time on British soil.

Swann, who has missed Wolves' run of three successive league wins since the recurrence of an ankle injury at Salford on Easter Monday, is expected to take up his accustomed right-hand side second rower role on Sunday, while Kearney is favourite to face him after lining up on Hull's left in their surprise 22-22 draw at basement club Leigh at the weekend.

Although Wolves' forwards impressed in the 40-28 victory at Wakefield on Sunday, Paul Cullen is expected to accommodate Swann in order to have all of his big guns on the field in an attempt to beat Hull at home for the first time in five meetings.

Cullen said: "Logan was in fantastic form before picking up the ankle injury. We're a better team when we have our big and experienced players back on the field."

With the Gleeson brothers and Ben Westwood having recovered from illness and no injuries being reported from the Wakefield win, Cullen has a strong and confident squad to select from against Hull, whose go-forward is to be boosted by the return of international prop Paul King after eight months on the sidelines with knee trouble, as well as a possible comeback for leading try scorer Gareth Raynor.

Wolves' expected 18 for the 3pm kick-off at The Halliwell Jones Stadium is: Brent Grose, Henry Fa'afili, Martin Gleeson, Toa Kohe-Love, Graham Appo, Lee Briers, Nat Wood, Chris Leikvoll, Jon Clarke, Mark Hilton, Logan Swann, Mike Wainwright, Ben Westwood, Chris Bridge, Mark Gleeson, Paul Wood, Danny Lima, Paul Noone.

Wolves' matches against higher-placed teams so far this year have been close and Sunday is likely to be no different. Goal-kicking could prove to be the difference.

Lee Briers, who was inspirational again at Wakefield, is in the process of re-examining his kick technique. He hit the post from wide out with one shot and was unable to hit the mark consistently from distance.

Chris Bridge entered play as a substitute and the goal he kicked from the touchline caught the eye of everyone. It was the mark of a true leader that Briers was first to congratulate Bridge on his effort.

Cullen said: "Chris Bridge may be in a position to force himself into the starting line-up simply to take some of the goalkicking pressure away from Lee Briers.

"Chris Bridge's goal-kicking is that casual it's nonchalant and just reminds me of John Woods - no heirs, no graces, no formula, he just puts it down, takes a step back and boots it.

"He's a very accomplished and very confident goal-kicker. The confidence of the kicker is the major piece of the jigsaw and confidence of goal-kickers needs to be protected."

Wolves, who are on a high after winning their last three Super League games, will be reading nothing into Hull's form against Leigh and fellow strugglers Widnes, who they edged out 32-28 the previous weekend.

Cullen said: "Every club in Super League have proved they've got a poor performance in them and, just like us, have the ability to bounce back.

"Hull's players and their coaching staff will know instinctively they've got to turn it up a few notches when they come across to us because we were in good form last week and we were the week before too.

"That first hour's effort against Bradford in our last home game was very draining. We had enough left in the tank to make sure we took the win.

"But sometimes you have to pay the price for that, and we were a little tender in the opening stages at Wakefield as we went 16-4 behind.

"Some of the collisions were not won and we didn't get one or two of the decisions. Once it all settled down and we had a chance to get our second wind, we went up a couple of gears and they couldn't live with us.

"And I've got no doubt in my mind there is improvement still to come.

"All we've spoken about this week is how we're going to improve and we want to improve our defence from last week."

Unbeaten Wolves under 18s team's thrilling 22-20 win at Leeds Rhinos on Saturday has qualified them for the top flight of the Academy Championship this year. They will play Castleford at Wilderspool on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm, in the final grading phase game.

The under 21s, who are in the elite division of the Senior Academy Championship, beat Leigh at home on Saturday and were in action at St Helens last night, Wednesday.

*Tickets for Wolves' game at St Helens on April 29 are now on sale at Wolfware and are £1 cheaper than turnstile prices.

Statistical preview, Wolves v Hull FC, 3pm kick-off

Last meeting: Hull FC 32 Wolves 10, February 27, 2005. Lee Briers and Henry Fa'afili went over for Wolves, with Briers also goaling once. Home results versus Hull in Super League (Wolves first): 1998, 24-10; 1999, 32-12; 2000, 16-32 and 41-10; 2001, 20-32; 2002, 14-42; 2003, 14-27; 2004, 18-38. Hull squad: Shaun Briscoe, Nathan Blacklock, Kirk Yeaman, Michael Eagar, Gareth Raynor, Richard Horne, Peter Lupton, Ewan Dowes, Richard Swain, Paul King, Shayne McMenemy, Stephen Kearney, Paul Cooke, Motu Tony, Jamie Thackray, Tommy Saxton, Chris Chester, Liam Higgins, Garreth Carvell, Danny Brough, Kirk Dixon, Paul McNicholas, Graeme Horne, Scott Wheeldon, Danny Washbrook, Andy Bailey, Richard Whiting, Danny Hill, Matty Dale, Andy Last. Links with Hull: Australian centre Michael Eagar joined Wolves from Queensland Crushers in 1998 before moving on to Castleford, while Toa Kohe-Love scored 21 tries in 46 matches for Hull. Danger man: Former New Zealand captain Stephen Kearney stands at 6ft 3in tall and possesses excellent offload abilities. Form guide - Hull's last five competitive away games: Tied with Leigh 22-22, outstripped Wakefield 36-12, edged past London 20-16, defeated by Bradford 32-22, triumphed at Salford 22-12.