FACING a team in Super League a week before coming up against them in a Challenge Cup Final is certainly a strange and awkward circumstance.

However, that is what faces Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors this weekend – and Wire boss Sam Burgess admits this has been “a tricky week to manage.”

The two neighbours lock horns at Wembley Stadium next weekend but before then, The Halliwell Jones Stadium plays host to what is an important Super League fixture between the two on Saturday afternoon, with both sides part of a three-way tie at the top of the table alongside St Helens.

As such, both Burgess and opposite number Matt Peet have had to give serious thought to the teams they send out for Round 13 although a couple of decisions have been taken out of Burgess’ hands, with George Williams suspended and Joe Philbin injured.

The Wire boss admits not thinking about Wembley is “tricky” but insists the intensity of their approach to this week remains unchanged, regardless of who steps onto the field for his side.

“It's a tricky week to manage, but we’ve had a good day’s prep,” he said at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.

“Most weeks, I sit here and say we get into the week with the same sort of intensity and prep, and that’s what we’ve done.

“Whoever plays on Saturday will be in for the contest, and Warrington v Wigan is always a great occasion.

“We played London in the league then in the cup earlier in the year, so we’ve been here before.

“It’s a funny circumstance no doubt about that, but we’ll manage it as we have done most things.

“It’s tricky to not think about Wembley as its coming up, so you try and make selections and not put anyone under too much pressure leading into that.

“We’re also looking forward to the challenge in the league, and we’ll reassess things after that.”

It appears as though Burgess is planning to face the best Wigan have to offer on Saturday and if that proves to be the case, Wire will certainly have their hands full.

Like them, the Warriors are on a four-match winning run in all competitions and those games have seen them score 142 points and concede just 26.

However, Burgess feels there is plenty about his side that Peet and his players will have to account for.

“They’ve got some dynamite players – Jake Wardle out on that left edge, Bevan French and Jai Field as well,” he said.

“They’ve got quality all over the field – Junior Nsemba has been a great find for them, then there’s the experience of Faz (Liam Farrell), Liam Marshall on the wing and (Abbas) Miski’s been going well for them as well.

“If you start looking at their strengths, you’re looking at the whole team. It’s not surprise they’re top of the table and in the cup final.

“I think we’ve got a lot to offer as a team as well. We talk about the strengths they have but if I was coaching against us, it would be a fair preview.”

Wire too are in excellent defensive form – across their four straight wins, they have conceded just 32 points.

Their work off the ball stood out in Perpignan at the weekend despite being under intense pressure, with Burgess keen to pay tribute to the work of assistant coach Richard Marshall on that front.

With fellow assistant Martin Gleeson getting praise in many quarters for his work with the team’s attack, Burgess highlighted Marshall’s “work in the shadows” to help keep the back door closed.

“Rich has been awesome – he’s such a great bloke to work with,” he said.

“He takes a lot of work off my back and does a fantastic job with our middles.

“He’s a very experienced coach through being at Halifax for a long time and then Salford, so he’s been there and done it.

“He knows the ins and outs of being a head coach so it takes a lot of my desk which is good.

“Gleese gets a lot of pats on the back for the attack, but Rich does a lot of work in the shadows that maybe doesn’t get noticed but is equally as important to success.”