WARRINGTON Wolves got themselves a handy and convincing victory on Friday night – but it came at a cost.
Sam Burgess’ side ran riot against Huddersfield Giants to record a 48-0 victory but also suffered three injuries.
Second rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon came off early but it was in the outside backs where depth was really tested.
With first-choice wingers Matty Ashton and Josh Thewlis not in the starting side, Connor Wrench and Toby King picked up knee and hamstring injuries during the game.
It meant Warrington finished the game with Rodrick Tai and Stefan Ratchford as their wingers, with back-rowers Matty Nicholson and Ben Currie forced into the centres.
With only a six-day turnaround between fixtures, there is a chance the starting three-quarter line that faces Leeds Rhinos on Thursday could have even more unfamiliarity about it.
Warrington Wolves outside back options
We will get a clearer picture of where things stand tomorrow, when Burgess names his 21-man squad for the game and addresses the media.
After Friday’s game, however, the Wire boss appeared to indicate that the short turnaround would rule King out while he also admitted Wrench’s injury “did not look good.”
Scan results will give a firmer guide on how long they are expected to be absent, but it would appear Wire will have to plan to face the Rhinos at least without both players.
Much then will depend on Ashton and Thewlis’ fitness as if one or both are able to play, it would certainly ease the burden with Tai and Ratchford then able to slot back into the centres.
Ashton had been identified as a pre-match doubt due to a back injury suffered before the international break, but no official reason has been given for Thewlis' absence.
One player who could come in is Arron Lindop – the teenager was in the 21-man squad for Friday’s game but was not considered having played a full 80 minutes for England Academy only three days prior to the game.
His ability to cover either wing or centre looks set to come in handy, while the same can also be said of Jake Thewlis, who made his senior debut in the Super League loss to Wigan Warriors last month.
Academy winger Frank Sergent was in the 21-man squad for that game but did not play, while livewire full-back Cai Taylor-Wray could even be called upon to put in a stint on the wing.
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