HOOKING DILEMMA

Fingers are crossed that this season's ever-present No.9 Danny Farrar can continue to play through the pain barrier until the end of the campaign.

Club captain Farrar, outstanding in defence in the win against Salford City Reds, is carrying injuries and his deputy David Highton has this week been ruled out until next season due to knee reconstruction surgery.

Academy hooker Mark Gleeson, younger brother of Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants centre Martin, would probably be the man to be called up if Australian Farrar's injury situation was to get any worse between this weekend and the final Super League game on September 17.

Gleeson, who has been called up to train with the national squad this week in preparation for next year's Academy World Cup, is highly rated by coach Darryl Van de Velde and has been training with the first team but Farrar's performance at the weekend showed why he is still a key man for the side.

The 32-year-old ex-Penrith Panthers star was well ahead in the tackle count against Salford City Reds and made 30 blocks with only one off-load in the first 40 minutes.

Van de Velde, who is now building up his squad for next season, has a dilemma over the hooking role.

Farrar, who was expected to quit at the end of this season, has had a change of mind and has indicated he would like a further year's contract with the Wolves. His signing, on the back of the capture of Brisbane Broncos back row star Kevin Campion, would complete Warrington's overseas quota for 2001.

Van de Velde, who had linked to other overseas players such as Parramatta centre David Kidwell.

Highton was being groomed for the Super League VI No.9 jersey but an arthroscope on his knee last week revealed that he needs a reconstruction operation, which is due to take place this week. Depending on the 20-year-old's recovery rate, it could mean six to nine months out of the game.

Van de Velde has not given any clue as to which direction he will take in regards to next year's hooking role.

But he did say: "It is unlucky for David Highton and the club that he needs a reconstruction operation.

"He has had a number of injuries this year with a broken jaw and a shoulder injury so it has been a poor season for him.

"But we're remaining positive. We'll get the operation done quickly as his lay off could be six months or longer.

"With the advancement in the medical fraternity there are no problems for players to come back from this.

"Players have to be aggressive in their rehab though and work hard at it because it is tough.

"For David it will be an ideal opportunity for him to put on some upper body weight in the gym. He may not be able to train his lower limbs but he will be able to work on his upper limbs."

In a double blow, the Wolves have also lost promising Alliance Under 21s centre Neil Callon to a knee reconstruction operation.

Warrington entertain Hull FC at Wilderspool on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.

Against Salford at the weekend Ian Knott showed improved form back in his usual second row position after coming on as a substitute and could be pushing for a start this week.

No other changes are expected to the side with on-loan winger Rob Smyth likely to continue on the wing despite his broken nose.

Hull are three points above the Wolves in the Tetley's Bitter table and still pushing Castleford for the fifth play-off spot so it will be a tough outing for the Wolves, who want revenge for two defeats to Hull already this season.

Van de Velde said: "It's a big game to us in relation to where we'll finish in the table.

"We've got to constantly remind ourselves that we need to finish as high as we possibly can and so sixth spot, above Hull, is what we're aiming for.

"Hull have a few problems with injuries at the moment but they'll be tough. They complete their sets of tackles well with a good kicking game and we will have to be conscious of this.

"The urgency we lacked from kicks in the first half against Salford last week can not be repeated against a side like Hull, who would not be in sixth spot if they were not a good team."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.