WARRINGTON Wolves' Super League date with Castleford Tigers on Saturday brings about a test of players' recovery powers.

After Sunday's almighty physical pounding in the clash with Bradford Bulls' giant men only 16 players of the Wolves' Super League squad trained on Tuesday.

Coach Darryl Van de Velde will be hoping yesterday's, Wednesday's rest day will allow more players to return to training today, Thursday, ahead of a crucial match at The Jungle, kick-off 6.05pm.

As the Guardian went to press there were doubts about prop forwards Andrew Gee and Marty Masella, utility player Steve Georgallis and centre Ian Sibbit.

Georgallis jarred his neck in a Paul Anderson tackle against Bradford and Sibbit has a foot injury. Both have responded slowly to physio treatment and are unlikely to feature against Cas.

Masella has a dead leg and Gee has been carrying an injury that has not been named by the club but hopes are high they will be fit.

Lee Penny will continue to miss out with a broken thumb but Dean Busby, in the wars against Bradford, is expected to play wearing head gear.

The Wolves need to run their Challenge Cup semi-final form into their Super League campaign after three opening defeats has left them rock bottom.

But the Wolves will have to be at their best against a Cas side which is welcoming back from injury four key players on the back of having had a fortnight's break from action.

They are playmaker Mitch Healey, signed from Cronulla Sharks, hooker Aaron Raper, prop Dean Sampson and back row forward Lee Harland.

The only two injured players they have are ex-Wolves centre Jon Roper, recovering from an ankle problem, and full back Jason Flowers.

Van de Velde said he and his players have learned a lot from the Bradford experience and are looking forward to the next challenge of a busy month's schedule.

He said: "We know we can compete with the best but it is the mental part of the game which we have to continue to work on. I have done so ever since joining the club but it is a culture change that has to happen and it only happens over a period of time."

The coach added that his players must strive to improve their control of possession in games, starting at Castleford.

He said: "Ball control and enthusiam is important. We must only turn over the ball on our terms and not from mistakes.

"This is specially in tight games. On Sunday we completed our sets of sixes about 60 per cent of the time but we need to raise that to about 75 per cent.

"With not controlling the ball it meant we finished the game against Bradford having made 330 tackles throughout.

"It should be around 230-250. The extra tackling burns players' fuel, once that happens players lose their technique and once that goes the scoreboard starts rolling."

The Wolves follow up Saturday's game with a clash at home to Leeds Rhinos on Thursday, April 12, kick-off 8pm and then a trip to Halifax Blue Sox on Easter Monday, April 16.

Short periods between games will further test the physical capabilities of Wolves players but fans who have raised concerns this week will be disappointed to learn that it does not look as though there will be any further players joining the club in the short term.

This is despite the contract money saving from Kevin Walters' retirement.

Van de Velde said: "It's important we do strengthen the squad. We are going to have injuries, specially with the heavy programme of games coming up.

"But I have been told at this stage there is no money available for players."

The club's finances are tight, evident in last week's loan agreement set up for the club between Warrington Borough Council, Tesco and Carlsberg-Tetley.

For latest news on the stadium campaign and how fans can help to save the club in the long term turn to page six.

Warrington Wolves Under 21s home game against Castleford tonight, Thursday, has been postponed. Next game is at St. Helens on Wednesday.

ONE Castleford Tigers player looking forward to the clash with Warrington Wolves is Australian centre Michael Eagar, who played for Warrington in Super League III.

So how does Eagar rate the Wolves this year?

He said: "They have been a little bit shaky at the start in the league but they put in a good performance last week in the cup. This will be a tough game for us.

"Their performance against Bradford in the semi didn't surprise me. They put in a good one against Wigan until Toa Kohe-Love was sent off. They are a good side and we will have to be on our toes."

Eagar is not expecting any special attention from the Wolves, even though he scored two tries in the draw at Hull.

He said: "I don't think Darryl Van de Velde will be paying me any special attention.

"The things that he will be looking out for are the possible return of such as Mitch Healey and Aaron Raper."

Eagar has high regard for many Warrington players but always has a tough tussle in opposition to Kohe-Love.

He said: "They have got a few good players, right across the board. Alfie Langer, of course, and there's Toa Kohe-Love. He's hard work and it's going to be a good test.

"They are good through the side and on their day are a quality outfit.

"Their pack is good, pretty much a straight up and down unit. Steve McCurrie is one for me. When he's on his toes he's hard work and a strong runner with a good pair of hands.

"And there is Tawera Nikau coming back to his old club but that can work in different ways. You can have a good game or have a poor one, hopefully he will have a poor one!"

From the Tigers point of view, Eagar said it has been a slow start to the year.

He said: "We should have won at Hull but we bombed a few tries.

"I was happy to get a couple of tries, it was about time though because I'd played a few games without scoring. Hopefully I can get a few more on Saturday night."