CLUB captain Danny Farrar will not stroll back into his regular hooking role for the Warrington Wolves this Sunday.

That is the message sent out by coach Darryl Van de Velde as he tries to recover competition for places to get the best from his players.

Under 21s star David Highton deputised expertly for the injured Farrar in the thrashing of Sheffield Eagles at Don Valley last week.

And his performance looks to have won him the No.9 slot for another week despite Farrar's return from a dead leg.

The decision reinforces the policy Van de Velde highlighted after the Bradford Bulls defeat when Alan Hunte, filling in at full back, played well enough to keep Lee Penny sidelined the following week.

Van de Velde said: "Danny has got to fight his way back into the side just like anybody else.

"I was really impressed with David's performance at Sheffield and barring any injuries he is likely to hold down his place in the starting line-up."

He added that injuries to Simon Gillies, knee, and Jon Roper, thigh, sustained in Sheffield would probably be shaken off in time for the home clash with rock-bottom Hull Sharks on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.

Van de Velde said: "Simon is coming along slowly and Jon looks like he will be okay as well, so I don't think we need to change things around too much and the squad will be very similar to what it was last week.

"The players have put themselves into a good position this season and are too professional to take the game lightly.

"Hull are not going to be easy. They are in the middle of a dogfight at the bottom of the table and will be desperate for the points.

"So they are going to come across very aggressively and we have got to match them."

Van de Velde was also boosted this week by the club's new deal with builders Alfred McAlpine to develop a new lair for the Wolves by 2002.

He said: "It's great news for the club and great for the supporters.

"There have been some desperate times at the club in recent years but now the ship is steadied and the opportunities ahead of us are enormous.

"The players will also benefit from a psychological point of view as they run out in front of a packed new stadium.

"It will also show other players that things are starting to move forward at Warrington, which will help us bring some quality players to the club."

But he refused to get too carried away on the sponsorship side of the McAlpine deal, with substantial funds - believed to be £500,000 - released to the club.

Van de Velde said: "There will be opportunities to spend money on new players but we are still confined to a budget and we have got to make sure that we pick up our revenue so we can have more money available for transfers.

"It's a long process and something we have got to really work on so that we can gradually increase our salary cap."

Wolves moved into their new training facilities at William Beamont High School and Warrington Collegiate this week.

The move from Wilderspool has provided the coaching staff with extra physiotherapy rooms, changing rooms, conditioning facilities, office space and grass training pitches.

"The transition has been very smooth and painless. There were some teething problems at first but we have settled in now," said Van de Velde.

"I'm delighted with the facilities. They are excellent and have allowed us to improve the team's preparation ahead of the Hull game."

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