STEVE Price says he has “come up with a solution” to get Matty Ashton back into his Warrington Wolves team.
More will be known about just what solution is after The Wire’s captain’s run today, but it appears likely the 21-year-old will return at full-back when Toronto Wolfpack visit The Halliwell Jones Stadium tomorrow.
To accommodate Ashton, Stefan Ratchford’s versatility may come to the fore once again in a move to right centre.
It is a position that is far from alien to Wolves’ stand-in captain, but one he has not played in since June 2017.
There may be cobwebs to dust off, but Price is confident in Ratchford doing the job.
When asked about how Ashton fits into his team, the Wire boss said: “I’ve come up with a solution.
“Hopefully it’s the right one – we’ll know come 9 o’clock on Friday night.”
On the possibility of Ratchford moving into the three-quarters, he said: “Stef’s played centre before and has played in some big games at centre for this club.
“The best thing about Stef is that he’s selfless and the ultimate team player.
“He did a great job in the halves in the first two rounds and a great job back at full back last week.
“Wherever he plays, I’m sure he’ll do his best.”
The decision to leave Ashton – so impressive in The Wire’s opening two Super League fixtures against St Helens and Wigan Warriors – out of the side at Wakefield Trinity on Sunday looked inexplicable once Trinity had completed an 18-8 victory at the Mobile Rocket Stadium.
Part of the reasoning was to accommodate marquee signing Gareth Widdop and he will make his home debut against the Wolfpack tomorrow.
It was a clunky first showing of Widdop’s new half-back partnership with Blake Austin as Warrington struggled for fluency in attack – a problem that dogged them for much of last season.
Price has called for patience but has said a short, five-day turnaround into their next game could work in their favour.
“We played some really gritty football in the first two weeks,” he said.
“A few of the things we’ve been trying to implement were showcased, but Sunday wasn’t what we expect of ourselves.
“We’ve addressed that and the short turnaround is the best remedy for us.
“It’s early days. We’re missing both our captains and we’ve got two halves who have had five training sessions together.
“I’ve said it before but it’s going to take a little bit of time. We’ve got to be patient."
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