IT has been a busy week for Warrington Wolves despite there being no first-team fixture.

Four front-row signings have been confirmed with two of them - Kyle Amor and Thomas Mikaele - set to provide an immediate boost before Catalans pair Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson join next year.

Wolves reporter Matt Turner caught up with head coach Daryl Powell yesterday and in the first part of their Q&A, they discussed the new signings and where it may leave the futures of the likes of Mike Cooper...

MT: The Kyle Amor signing may have raised a few eyebrows around the game – what do you feel he brings that you didn’t feel you had?

DP: There’s a couple of things with Kyle that appeal. He’s obviously won the comp for the past few years with St Helens, so that is a positive.

He’s really experienced and I’ve always thought of him as a really positive person, so he’s a good person to bring into the environment.

He’s a rock-solid player too and those qualities will add a lot to us, I think.

We’ve let a couple of middle men out just to get them playing, which was the right thing to do, and for us it gives us good options moving forward.

There’s another Easter-type schedule later in the season and it puts pressure on players to play well every week.

He’s a pretty decent size as well, Kyle, so he gives us that as well. All round, it just felt like a great opportunity.

Warrington Guardian:

Kyle Amor has joined on loan from St Helens for the rest of the season. Picture by Warrington Wolves

MT: With Thomas Mikaele too – how much of a bonus is it that he’s able to come over now?

DP: Not only that, but he wanted to come now as well.

There was no twisting of arms needed – he really wants to get over here and crack on.

You’ve got a young, mid-twenties front-rower who’s playing every week, consistently getting picked in the NRL. He’s big, athletic and aggressive.

To get him in this year is obviously a bonus.

Sometimes it can take a little while for players, particularly middle-unit players, to get up to speed in this country. The game’s played a little bit differently here so it will be great for him to get in.

It’s another option and more size for us in our middle unit, which will be great for us.

MT: Are you looking at both being available for Leeds or is Thomas looking more likely for Wakefield?

DP: Thomas isn’t here yet – he arrives on the 4th so he’ll be available for Wakefield.

It will give him a long week leading into that game on the Sunday.

Kyle will be available – he trained with us the other day so we’ll have him ready for selection against Leeds.

Warrington Guardian:

Kyle Amor in training. Picture by Warrington Wolves

MT: With Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson coming in next year to, is this you really laying down a challenge to the front-rowers already here and those that will be next year?

DP: There’s always a challenge for them.

Each of them is a little bit different – some want to be starting and others are happier coming off the bench and there’s big value in all of those things.

The challenge for them is to be at their best every week – we want to be a team that’s winning the competition so you want players to continue to grow.

Warrington Guardian:

Catalans pair Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson will join The Wire next season. Picture by SWPix.com

MT: With all of these props coming in, a lot will be wondering where this leaves Mike Cooper. He kind of put the ball in your court with his interview on Sky so is there anything you can say on whether he’ll be around next year?

DP: I think for Mike, he wants to win a competition with Warrington.

As far away as it looks at the moment, we’ve still got an opportunity to do that this year.

At this point though, I won’t speculate on Mike’s future.

Warrington Guardian:

Mike Cooper is out of contract at the end of the season. Picture by Mike Boden

The second part of our Q&A with Daryl Powell - reflecting on the first half of the season - will be live on Sunday morning...