WOLVES stand off Chris Bridge could be set for an early return from injury in the next couple of weeks.

Bridge tore his hamstring in the opening minutes of Wolves' first game of the season at Wigan on February 9 and was not expected to return for at least six weeks, with the Good Friday trip to Salford earmarked as a possible comeback match.

But a lightning quick recovery means the 22-year-old may be in contention to return next week against St Helens and earlier this week had even not been ruled out of this Saturday's trip to the Stoop to face Harlequins, kick-off 3pm.

Paul Cullen has not named Bridge in this week's 20-man squad, though, and does not want to take any risks with one of his star assets, who had a difficult mid-season last year after returning too quickly from an ankle injury.

"Chris is progressing a little bit better than we could possibly have hoped for," said Cullen.

"We don't think he'll make this weekend. It will be a real bonus if he does but we're not 100 per cent optimistic that he will be available.

"Because it's a hamstring we've got to be very careful we don't push him back too early.

"But it will be a massive boost when he is back because we've seen nothing of Chris Bridge apart from encouraging displays against Widnes and Salford.

"What we saw in the opening five minutes of round one at Wigan was that he was almost unstoppable.

"He is a player that owns the number six shirt by right and will be a massive asset to us, as and when he gets back fully fit."

Chris Leikvoll left the field with a twisted ankle in Wolves' 25-24 win against Hull on Sunday but Cullen is hopeful he will be fit to face a Harlequins side that have five points from six this season.

Vinnie Anderson, who played at 75 per cent on his return from a groin injury against Hull, should also be closer to full fitness against the team Cullen has tagged the Cliff Thorburns of Super League' for their methodical approach to the game.

Wolves are seeking back-to-back league wins for the first time since last May and Cullen wants his team to build on an encouraging start to the season that has brought two wins from three games.

He said: "We may have considered accepting that if we had been given that before the start of the season but now we're preparing for round four a little bit disappointed we haven't got six from six.

"But we are very realistic. We as a club have proven that we cannot afford to lose five players in one week but we got two back against Hull and they made a massive difference.

"Now we're almost desperate to build on our start. We travel to London expecting a very tough battle from Harlequins, who have the meanest defence in Super League after three rounds.

"They have a very good disciplinary record and the quickest play-the-ball record from the first three rounds.

"They are not a side that pushes offloads like St Helens, Hull and Leeds.

"They grind away, they are the Cliff Thorburns of Super League. They make life very difficult and challenge you to beat them.

"We know we will have to be at our very best to compete with them."

Wolves have lost on their last three trips to the capital but Cullen, who still feels aggrieved that an early disallowed try from Ben Westwood damaged their chances last year, said: "The Stoop holds no fears for us, no ground does.

"I think we are tougher this year than we were last year."

And Cullen will be hopeful that Martin Gleeson is on form again after an impressive display against Hull.

Cullen said: "Martin is just on the edge of some fantastic form at the moment. There are some clear signs that he is coming back to his best.

"He doesn't have any of the niggles that bogged him down last year and he's looking very dangerous."

More of Cullen's comments can be read online at warringtonguardian.co.uk.

Wolves' 20-man squad: Stuart Reardon, Henry Fa'afili, Martin Gleeson, Paul Johnson, Brent Grose, Michael Sullivan, Lee Briers, Chris Leikvoll, Jon Clarke, Paul Rauhihi, Ben Westwood, Mike Wainwright, Vinnie Anderson, Mark Gleeson, Paul Wood, Rob Parker, Steve Pickersgill, Chris Riley, Mike Cooper, Kevin Penny.

* Wolves have appealed against assistant coach Gary Chambers' £500 fine for his sending off at Wigan.