ANDY Bracek looks set to replace Steve Pickersgill on Warrington Wolves' bench against St Helens on Friday night.

Prop Pickersgill, who is suspended for two matches, has been withdrawn from the 20-man squad along with winger Chris Riley, leaving Bracek and Simon Grix fighting for the 17th spot.

Paul Cullen is expected to want the services of a further prop on the bench, putting Bracek in the prime position to make his first appearance of the season against his former club.

However, Cullen does have the option of selecting Grix and using Ben Westwood as a rotational prop instead.

Bracek has appeared for Wolves in several positions but Cullen says the Wales international's best work is produced down the middle.

He adds: "Although Andy Bracek has played second row, loose forward and occasionally filled in at centre, he does his best work close to the ruck."

Bracek scored the opening try for Warrington Wolves' reserve team in the 42-12 friendly win against Warrington Wizards at Wilderspool Stadium on Sunday.

Wolves used that game to give squad members who did not play in the Super League opener against Hull a run-out in order for them to be match-fresh for as soon as they are needed in the first team.

Other Super League squad men to figure in that game were Chris Riley, Matty Blythe, Ben Harrison, Lee Mitchell, Grix and Mike Cooper, who, although a prop, was not in the running to replace Pickersgill for the Saints game.

Cooper has made a strong recovery from the broken leg and life-threatening complications he suffered last year but Cullen said: "Young Michael Cooper is going very well at the moment but it's a long road back from a very difficult injury.

"He had a tough run out at the weekend and he's beginning to get his confidence back."

Wolves' 18-man squad to face Saints: Chris Hicks, Martin Gleeson, Matt King, Kevin Penny, Lee Briers, Michael Monaghan, Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke, Paul Rauhihi, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Vinnie Anderson, Mark Gleeson, Rob Parker, Paul Johnson, Simon Grix, Andy Bracek, Chris Bridge.