PAUL Cullen is taking a "big and strong" approach to his back line selections for Sunday's battle with in-form Hull Kingston Rovers.

Potentially losing Chris Bridge for the rest of the season with the ruptured Achilles' tendon he suffered in Friday's loss at St Helens forces a reshuffle, with Australian winger Chris Hicks to be named at full back for the Craven Park clash, kick-off 3pm.

Lively Great Britain international Paul Johnson leaves the bench to make his first start for Warrington on the right wing, while hard-working loose forward Vinnie Anderson is set to play play left centre after Matt King was withdrawn from the squad this afternoon.

Simon Grix is likely to start the game at loose forward.

Scrum half Michael Monaghan is now expected to appear despite being doubtful earlier in the week with a hamstring injury he collected in training prior to the Knowsley Road trip.

Cullen could choose to keep Vinnie Anderson at loose forward by fielding Johnson at centre and introducing Chris Riley on the wing but he is wary of the threat that Rovers' signings Jake Webster - a New Zealand international - and former Leeds Rhinos star Chev Walker present in the centres with their warrior-like physiques.

Therefore Vinnie Anderson is favourite for left centre with Johnson on the right edge.

Wolves' head coach added: "I feel we need to be as big and strong as we can be out wide because Chev Walker and Jake Webster are no shrinking violets and we've got to be able to defend that."

Hicks, who has scored a try in each of his opening two games with the club, receives the role as the last line of defence ahead of Stuart Reardon, who makes his comeback from a long-term injury along with Paul Wood in the reserves' game with Rovers on Humberside on Saturday.

Former Manly flyer Hicks has played full back in the NRL and impressed with two try-saving challenges after replacing Bridge, who will have an operation on Sunday, at St Helens.

Cullen said about Hicks: "I think he's going to be a gem for us.

"He was very good as a winger in round one of Super League and very good as a full back in round two.

"Chris had a serious operation on an ankle at the end of last season and he's not had the most efficient and fluent pre-season.

"He was not allowed to run for a considerable period yet he still shows great speed and agility.

"He didn't go to Lanzarote (training camp) with us during pre-season because his wife was expecting to give birth, so I don't think we've seen anywhere near his full potential as yet.

"He's getting fitter and more confident with every training session."

Expected team: Chris Hicks; Paul Johnson, Martin Gleeson, Vinnie Anderson, Kevin Penny; Lee Briers, Michael Monaghan; Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke, Paul Rauhihi, Ben Westwood, Louis Anderson, Simon Grix. Subs from: Mark Gleeson, Rob Parker, Andy Bracek, Ben Harrison, Chris Riley, Lee Mitchell, Mike Cooper.