WARRINGTON Wolves have captured former Wigan winger Rob Smyth from London Broncos.

Smyth, originally from Billinge in Wigan, comes on a month's loan period in exchange for the unsettled Jon Roper.

Roper has been unhappy at Wilderspool for most of this season and is hoping to be offered a permanent contract elsewhere at the end of the campaign.

If Smyth impresses for the Wolves, his loan period will be extended.

Smyth joined Wigan from amateur club Rosebridge in 1994 and won the Centenery Championship with them in 1995. At 5ft 8in tall and weighing just over 12st, Smyth was one of the fastest players at Wigan.

However, in 1998 Smyth moved to London Broncos, and although he played in the Challenge Cup final in 1999, he has suffered heavily from injuries during his time in the capital.

After coming back from breaking his hand, he sustained a major hamstring injury which kept him out of action for over a month.

Smyth has played just one first team game this season but has recently had a run of form in the Alliance side and will play his final game for London's Alliance team on Saturday.

Wolves coach Darryl Van de Velde explained the reasoning for the player swap. He said: "I think we need an injection of new players in to the team and it will increase competition for places.

"He will bring with him lots of pace and it is a good opportunity for him to excel."

Smyth's arrival at Wilderspool will mean that the competition for wing spots hots up.

Mark Forster has recovered from his broken arm and has declared himself fit to play against Wigan on Sunday in the televised game at the JJB Stadium, which kicks off at 7.05pm.

Van de Velde will stick with the system which served him so well against Halifax last Friday. This means that Will Cowell and Chris Campbell will retain their places on the wings.

Danny Nutley still faces a late fitness check to see if his knee is strong enough and Toa Kohe-Love may also miss out. Van de Velde has rated their chances as 50-50.

If Nutley does not pull through, Gary Chambers will get a recall to the squad and Jerome Guisset or Mark Hilton will step into the starting 13.

Warrington must be wary of the Wigan backlash after they were pipped by St Helens in the dying moments last week.

It is Warrington's first game at the imposing JJB Stadium and they will hope that it is the beginning of a new era.

The stadium is built by McAlpines, who are the architects of the Wolves' proposed new den. And it will be a good opportunity for Warrington fans to go and see what could be in prospect for their own club.

Van de Velde focused on the threat posed from the Wigan team. He said: "Everything goes through Andy Farrell at stand-off. He is their key playmaker and we must close him down.

"They have a big, mobile pack but we can match them. We are high on confidence and we must carry on winning."

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