KURT Gidley is already showing qualities at Warrington Wolves that made head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith so eager to bring him to the club.

The 33-year-old former Newcastle Knights skipper has enjoyed a fortnight's training with his new teammates at Wolves’ Padgate base, and Smith is impressed.

“Kurt’s really settled in well and struck up some good combinations with a lot of the players and showed his leadership values and qualities already," he said.

“Everybody’s working really hard at the moment, we’ve still got a few boys doing their rehab, but they’re ripping it up.

“All the boys that have been doing their rehab are coming along well. They’re working hard and doing everything possible to get fit and healthy.

“Everybody else is really training as hard as they possibly can at the moment.”

Wolves get their pre-season campaign under way with a visit to Widnes Vikings on Sunday, December 27 for the annual festive friendly between the clubs.

The Wire boss is yet to finalise his squad for the fixture, but fans could get a glimpse of some new faces in primrose and blue.

“I think we’ll have a couple of new faces in there, but we haven’t decided as yet,” Smith added.

“I’m going to look at numbers and who deserves it, but one or two new faces I’m keen to give a taste of it and an understanding of what’s to come for the year.”