Who could replace suspended half-back in Warrington Wolves side?

The Wire do still have the option to appeal the Grade C dangerous contact charge handed to their scrum-half following Saturday’s Challenge Cup victory over Catalans Dragons to give him a chance of facing former club Leigh Leopards on Friday.

If, however, they decide to accept the charge, they will be without Drinkwater for the Round 13 trip to Leigh Sports Village.

Here, we take a look at some of Daryl Powell’s potential options to partner George Williams in the Australian’s absence…

PETER MATA’UTIA

When Drinkwater missed the trip to Castleford Tigers through injury earlier this year, this was the route Powell went down.

Half-back is certainly not an alien position for Mata’utia and he stepped into the role well as The Wire won 38-0 at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

It would also solve a decision Powell has been mulling over for a couple of weeks, namely when and how the returning Connor Wrench fits into his side.

Wrench’s return from an ACL injury is much-anticipated and although he has only 40 minutes of reserve-grade rugby under his belt, Powell insists he is good to go.

Mata’utia moving into the halves would open things up for the youngster to slot into his preferred centre spot, although Greg Minikin would also be a contender having featured heavily in the opening weeks.

Peter Mata'utia moved into the halves when Josh Drinkwater missed the win at Castleford through injury (Image: SWPix.com)

STEFAN RATCHFORD

The same thing could be tried on the other side, with Ratchford moving inside from the left edge and Wrench or Minikin filling in.

Ratchford’s versatility has seen him feature in the halves on numerous occasions – indeed, half-back (116) is his second-most frequent starting position after full-back (184) during his long career.

Last season saw the club captain play extensively alongside Williams in the halves but given he is starting to show signs of adapting to his new role in the centres, Powell may well be reluctant to move him.

Stefan Ratchford played most of last season in the halves (Image: Mike Boden)

LEON HAYES

Giving the inexperienced but talented Warringtonian youngster Hayes a run-out is another of Powell’s options, and it would certainly be popular among supporters.

Although he is yet to add to the two first-team appearances he made at the end of last year, the 19-year-old possesses the same kind of organisational qualities that endeared Drinkwater to the club’s hierarchy and he could be given another chance to show his potential at Super League level.

As with Wrench, another thing that could work in his favour is that this weekend’s planned reserve fixture against Leigh has been postponed, meaning he faces going nearly a month without a run-out as it stands.

Powell is known to rate Hayes highly, but will he see a game that is likely to be highly-charged and bruising against an in-form side as the right time to throw him in?

Leon Hayes has yet to play for the first team this season (Image: Lewis Tate)

RILEY DEAN

Another option available to Powell is bringing Dean back into the fold from his loan spell at Featherstone Rovers.

The 21-year-old has been ever-present in Rovers’ seemingly relentless march to promotion from the Championship, scoring five tries and kicking 23 goals in their 11 victories from as many games.

However, Dean still trains with the Warrington squad full-time and the club have the option to recall him from his loan deal at any time.

He was in the 21-man squad for the Round Four trip to Hull KR in a week Featherstone were in Challenge Cup action, but Powell has repeatedly stated his reluctance to keep pulling the young half-back to and fro.

Riley Dean has impressed on loan at Featherstone Rovers this year (Image: SWPix.com)