WARRINGTON Wolves are not having any luck whatsoever.

The only plus points from a devastating week are that Lee Penny, Ian Knott and Vince Fawcett are back on the scene and available for the Wolves' Super League game at Castleford Tigers tomorrow, Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

But as coach Darryl Van de Velde welcomes back three of his players, three others have joined the long list of crocked men and there is also a fear of skipper Danny Farrar not being available tomorrow due to personal reasons.

There was a cruel blow for prop forward Mark Hilton, who broke his left arm in the 46-16 defeat at Halifax on Sunday.

In the same game stand off Adam Doyle was stretchered off and taken to hospital with damaged knee ligaments.

New recruit Mike Pechey picked up several knocks which will keep him out of the trip to Wheldon Road.

The news from Wilderspool was worse in midweek when it was revealed that centre Toa Kohe-love's father had been killed in a boating accident in New Zealand and that Chris Rudd's father had been taken to hospital after a heart attack. See separate story on page five.

It leaves the Wolves with at least six players unavailable from a squad of only 22.

John Duffy is on stand-by to make his first appearance at hooker should Farrar be sidelined for the first time this season. Duffy trained at No.9 on Wednesday.

The stand off spot will be filled by Mike Wainwright. He has been an ever-present at loose forward this season but made five appearances at stand off last term.

Steve McCurrie, who was the most effective performer against Halifax, will switch to loose forward.

Brendon Tuuta will return to the second row after missing the Blue Sox game with a recurring leg injury and he will be partnered by Ian Knott, who will be taking to the field for the first time since pulling his hamstring against Castleford last month.

Pechey's centre spot will be taken up by Fawcett which will be only his third start of the campaign. For personal reasons he did not play at The Shay on Sunday.

Penny's return, after a broken thumb and niggling ankle problem, will mean there will be no place for 17-year-old Will Cowell who stepped in at the weekend.

As has been the case for the past month, players will be taking to the field at Wheldon Road with injuries as there are no further players are available to Van de Velde other than him raiding the Academy squad further. This is the point where Warrington are missing not having an Alliance team this season.

If winger Mark Forster scores at Castleford he will become the fourth highest try scorer of all time for the club. His Halifax touch down, the 167th of his Warrington career, leaves him equal fourth with former greats Parry Gordon and Ally Naughton.

Expected team to face the Tigers: Lee Penny; Jason Roach, Mike Eagar, Vince Fawcett, Mark Forster; Mike Wainwright, Lee Briers; Gary Chambers, Danny Farrar/ John Duffy, Danny Nutley, Brendon Tuuta, Ian Knott, Steve McCurrie.

Castleford scored a late 23-16 victory over the Wolves the last time the two teams met in Cardiff.

Since then the Tigers have been inconsistent, beating high flying Leeds at home in one game but surprisingly losing at Hull last weekend which almost certainly killed off their lingering hopes of a top five finish.

The outlook for the remainder of the season is bleak for Warrington's Doyle and Chris Morley.

Back rower Morley is going to need an operation to repair his knee ligament injury and is not expected to play again this year.

Doyle must be doubtful of playing again this season but will be seeking confirmation from a specialist.

Super League grand final tickets are on sale at the Wolves' Cockhedge Theme shop.

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