WOLVES head coach Paul Cullen admits that the conservative type of football on show against Hull Kingston Rovers in the Challenge Cup on Saturday does not come naturally to his players.

But he feels that completing sets, kicking and chasing as well as forcing the opposition into mistakes in their own half is the way to play in the continued absence of leader Lee Briers.

Cullen said: "When we're trying to complete, we're playing a little conservatively and it doesn't quite suit us.

"For the way that we've prepared pre-season and the way we've brought players in and the talents that we have available, conservative is not a word that springs to mind.

"The players we have like to open up but we're just trying to hold back a little bit at the minute until we have Lee Briers back and we look at the play, make the right play and score when we think we ought to score."

Briers' absence in the last three games has handed more organisational responsibility to Jon Clarke, who has temporarily switched from hooker to scrum half and impressed his boss.

"I've got nothing but praise for Jon," said Cullen.

"He physically ran himself, tackled himself and thought himself into the ground against Hull KR. He carried the weight.

"I was also very impressed with Chris Leikvoll and Paul Rauhihi with the way they have steadied the ship."

Cullen also revealed that some players went on the field in a bust up' condition from the previous week's Wakefield defeat, putting them out there because of the restricted options due to injuries in the squad.

Cullen said: "At some point in a season you've got to carry one or two bodies and I thought that was evident against Hull KR. They looked a little bit flat, not as sharp as they have been this season.

"But I'm pleased with the way the group have stuck together and fought for each other and I think the ones who picked up the baton against Hull KR did it for the team. They've got their teammates through it."