PAUL Cullen has explained that the need for a second rower rather than a prop led to him recalling Ben Harrison from his loan spell at Widnes Vikings.

Both Harrison and the more experienced Andy Bracek started the season on loan at Widnes on a rolling month-by-month deal that potentially could have seen them spend all of 2007 at The Halton Stadium.

But Wolves retained the option to recall either player at 24 hours' notice and last week's injury crisis - culminating in the withdrawal of Michael Cooper with a shoulder injury - prompted Cullen to recall Harrison, who can play in the back row or at prop, even though most would have expected Bracek to be the first person to return.

"I recalled Ben because we weren't looking for another prop forward at Harlequins," said Cullen, who considers Bracek as a front rower first and foremost.

"If Chris Bridge hadn't made it, we were looking to accommodate rotations at half back and three-quarters.

"We had Rob Parker and Steve Pickersgill, so we were covered on the front row rotation.

"Mark Gleeson was on the bench to rotate at nine and when you have Vinnie Anderson, who can play at left centre and can also play at stand off, and Jon Clarke, we wanted someone who was able to rotate those half back and three-quarter positions, so that's why we opted for Ben Harrison as opposed to Andy Bracek."