STEVE McCurrie will beef up Warrington Wolves' pack to tackle world champions St. Helens' monster forwards at Wilderspool tomorrow night, Friday.

And no-nonsense prop Andrew Gee could be back in the side after injury, depending on his fitness test later today, Thursday.

The Wolves see the pack battle as the crucial key to victory against successive Grand Final winners and Challenge Cup finalists Saints, who have not lost to Warrington since September 20, 1995.

The epic showdown, which kicks off at 8pm, is expected to draw in a record Super League crowd for a game at Wilderspool.

Wolves coach Darryl Van de Velde says: "The only way their half backs Sean Long and Tommy Martyn get longitude to do their work is because their pack goes forward for the full 80 minutes.

"They have a monster pack, good half backs and strong strike players in centres Paul Newlove and Kevin Iro.

"So we've got to get in the faces of the St. Helens players. Our defence must move up off the line and close them down.

"It is a tall order but we're going into the game convinced we can win. Our players are on a confident run and we are at home. We're being really positive about this game."

After two wins in four days over Easter, which zapped the Wolves' energy levels, the players had light training on Tuesday and were told to relax before returning for training today.

Facing the Wolves is the second biggest pack in the business, behind Bradford Bulls.

Van de Velde rates former Australian Test forward David Fairleigh, signed from Newcastle Knights, as the form prop in Super League. But his 6ft 2ins frame is bettered by Peter Shiels, also signed from Newcastle, who is 6ft 5ins tall while Scottish international Wayne McDonald is 6ft 7ins tall.

With form back rowers Paul Sculthorpe, the ex-Wolves ace, Chris Joynt and Sonny Nickle all above 6ft it is a big pack to contend with.

Van de Velde said tongue-in-cheek: "Even hooker Keiron Cunningham is as big as my props!"

But the Wolves have handled giant forwards well before and at their best they can give Saints huge problems. They will be boosted by having seen the video tape of Hull scoring 34 points in defeat to Saints on Monday

McCurrie's return to the second row for the injured Steve Georgallis will add extra weight to a pack in which Dean Busby, who will switch to loose forward to face his former club, Danny Nutley, Gary Mercer, Marty Masella and David Highton were outstanding over Easter.

There is further spice in the game with Warrington's Lee Briers and Alan Hunte facing up to their former club.

Saints have reported no major injury concerns but Millward, who had given his players a day off before reporting back to training today, said he has his eyes on the Challenge Cup final next weekend and will not pick players if they have any slight injuries.

Wolves' staff at Wilderspool are asking fans to buy tickets in advance of Friday's game.

Chief operations officer Adam Jude said: "When we had the big 'gate' against Leigh in the Challenge Cup some fans missed out on their favourite spot. We are expecting an attendance of more than 9,000 on Friday so it would be wise to buy tickets in advance."

Tickets are available from the club shop at Wilderspool. Call in or contact 235005.