DARRYL Van de Velde looks set to stay on as coach of Warrington Wolves as team building starts for next season.

The Australian was known to be frustrated with the stringent budget he has had to work with all season but promises of extra cash from the conglomerate set to take over the club seem to have convinced him that his work is not yet done at Wilderspool.

The coach said: "There won't be a massive influx of extra money to spend next year but there will certainly be more in the pot than this year.

"The club needs to build steadily by improving things on the field and on the commercial side so the more money coming in and the more people coming through the gate then the salary cap can be adjusted accordingly.

"It should be a steady drip effect that sees the club in an upward spiral."

Long delays in the takeover have left players soon to be out of contract uncertain about their futures but Van de Velde has thrown himself into talks now he has more money to spend next year.

Van de Velde faces stiff competition for many of his star performers in 1998.

Prop Danny Nutley has had offers from Gold Coast Giants and London Broncos but is believed to be keen to stay on at Warrington.

Steve McCurrie has caught the eye of several Super League coaches and will probably want a big pay increase if he is to stay at Wilderspool.

Lee Penny is another player with admirers elsewhere in the country and the coach will be working hard to retain him.

Mark Forster has been offered a 12 month contract but is not expected to go into talks until the end of the season.

Other players soon to be out of contract are Chris Rudd, Mike Pechey, Vince Fawcett, Jason Roach and Mike Wainwright.

Van de Velde said: "Talks are obviously at a delicate stage at the moment. There are plenty of players who still have three games to make their case for contracts so it's all up in the air."

Wolves seem set to start Sunday's game against Bradford, kick-off 6pm at Odsal, with the same line-up as the Huddersfield game.

One possible change could be the return of Jon Roper to action as he battles for fitness after breaking his leg.

Van de Velde rates the 22-year-old's chances as '30/70 against' due to fears of rushing him back too soon.

He said: "Jon has been working with us in training this week but it's early days and we don't want to do anything to risk his long term recovery."

Expected side: Lee Penny; Jason Roach, Mike Pechey, Mike Eagar, Mark Forster; Lee Briers, Danny Farrar; Gary Chambers, David Highton, Danny Nutley, Steve McCurrie, Brendon Tuuta, Mike Wainwright.

Bradford have won only two of their last seven games but are desperate to hang on to fifth place in Super League as London Broncos pressure them for the last play-off place.

Matthew Elliott's injury worries continue as winger Tevita Vaikona is ruled out for the rest of the season.

Van de Velde said: "Matthew Elliott has been going round saying he's got nothing to worry about because his next game is against Warrington so he should be in for a nasty surprise. I've got plenty of blokes still playing for contracts."

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