WOLVES skipper Lee Briers has launched a passionate defence of Paul Cullen after becoming one of three players to extend their contracts with the club.

The 28-year-old has signed a new deal that will keep him with Wolves until the end of 2009, with Simon Grix and Paul Wood also committing themselves to the club for the next three years.

Briers, who has indicated that he intends to retire when his contract expires, is expected to lead Wolves out in Sunday's Sky-televised game against Huddersfield at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, kick-off 12.30pm, after X-rays showed he did not break his wrist during the 250th appearance of his career at the weekend.

That 52-26 loss at Castleford was Wolves' fifth successive defeat and the run has left Cullen under fire from some sections of the club's support.

But Briers, whose current contract was not due to expire until the end of next season, has made it clear that it is the players who should be taking the blame for recent results.

He said: "I think too much gets said about the coach when things don't go right. He can only give us the gameplan, he can't make the tackles and pass the ball, so I think people upstairs, such as the board, have got to realise that.

"I don't know what the board are thinking at the moment but they're probably not going to be happy because we're one of the top sides in the division and we're getting beat.

"I can assure you it's not Paul's fault though. We have a plan that has worked in the past but it's not working now because the players are not playing to their potential.

"We've got to work really, really hard and work together.

"Hopefully we've put a few issues right this week.

"But it's the players' fault. It's nothing to do with any of the coaches."

Despite Wolves' recent form, Briers has expressed his delight at earning a new deal and wants to reward the fans for supporting him during his nine years with the club.

He said: "The fans have stuck by me, they've given me support in the past and I can only apologise for what's going on at the moment.

"We're going through a bad patch and they're suffering for it, but I can assure you we're suffering with them.

"They just need to stick by us, which I'm sure they will do. They didn't give us much stick at Castleford because they know we don't get beat on purpose.

"But even though we're getting beat at the moment, I still love it here.

"I'm really pleased about the contract because Warrington is my life and I never, ever had any thoughts about going anywhere else. The ambition the club has shown is important but I would play for them in National League One, never mind Super League.

"I think I'll finish my career at the end of 2009 and, even though I'll only be 31, hopefully I can be some kind of coach with the club.

"I really love Warrington. Paul Cullen has done wonders for the club and it's just a shame that we're letting him down at the moment."

Cullen has expressed his relief that Briers has overcome a major injury scare - he has had a history of wrist problems - and will not have to be added to an already lengthy injury list.

He said: "The prospect of losing Lee to a long-term injury wasn't worth thinking about.

"No club can stand to lose the five players we've got out at the moment and no club could have stood to have lost a sixth, particularly Lee Briers."

But Chris Bridge is out of Sunday's match with a knee injury that forced him to pull out on matchday at Castleford. The results of a scan will determine how long he will be out.

Paul Wood is also missing after being suspended for one match and fined £300 along with Castleford's Ryan McGoldrick for a fight during Sunday's game.

Steve Pickersgill is likely to start at prop if he passes a fitness test on a knee injury, with Mark Hilton, who is expected to be fit after a back problem, also coming into contention.

Expected 17-man squad: Stuart Reardon, Henry Fa'afili, Martin Gleeson, Toa Kohe-Love, Brent Grose, Lee Briers, Simon Grix, Steve Pickersgill, Michael Sullivan, Chris Leikvoll, Ben Westwood, Mike Wainwright, Rob Parker, Paul Noone, Michael Cooper, Andy Bracek, Mark Hilton. Standby: Chris Riley, Richie Barnett.

* Jon Clarke will undergo an exploratory operation on his shoulder on Saturday to find out if his season is over.

The club fear the worst and the shoulder will be reconstructed on the day if necessary.

Statistical preview

Last meeting: Giants 26 Wolves 20, February 19, 2006. Chris Bridge crossed twice with Richie Barnett and Martin Gleeson also touching down, while Lee Briers goaled twice. Away record versus Giants in Super League: Played 7, won 5, drawn 0, lost 2, points scored 210, points conceded 146. Coach: Jon Sharp. Form guide - Giants' last five games: Leeds (H) lost 36-14, Bradford (A) lost 42-16, Castleford (A) lost 32-14, Catalans (H) won 42-34, Hull (A) lost 19-6. Team for last match: Paul Reilly; Martin Aspinwall, Stephen Wild, Michael de Vere, Stuart Donlan; Kevin Brown, Chris Thorman; Keith Mason, Robbie Paul, Jim Gannon, Chris Nero, Andy Raleigh, Stuart Jones. Subs: Eorl Crabtree, Brad Drew, Steve Snitch, Wayne McDonald. Team news: Keith Mason (ankle) and Wayne McDonald (knee) are out of action for the next month but Paul Jackson (virus) should return. Links with Giants: Martin Gleeson and Chris Bridge started at Huddersfield. Danger man: Robbie Paul can control a game at half back or hooker. Referee: Richard Silverwood.