SAM Burgess confirmed George Williams' absence from the Warrington Wolves team to face London Broncos was precautionary.

And after the "last-minute call" to leave him out of the side, he expects the half-back and the other players left out for the 36-22 win in the capital to return for next week's Magic Weekend clash with Leeds Rhinos.

Williams was a surprise absentee from the team sheet for the game at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, with Sam Powell partnering Josh Drinkwater in the halves in his absence.

However, Burgess moved to allay any concerns around an extended absence in his post-match press conference.

"He’s played a lot and he plays pretty tough," he said.

"We decided late on to give him a rest – he had a slight niggle so we decided not to risk it. It was a last-minute call, really."

Burgess also confirmed that the other first-choice players who missed out on the game - winger Josh Thewlis and forwards Ben Currie, Matty Nicholson and Luke Yates - were all absent as part of his squad rotation.

"They’ve all played a lot," he said.

"Jimmy’s played a lot, Nicko has played a lot and they’ve played big minutes. Yatesey has played big minutes, albeit at a different club.

"I intended to give Powelly (Sam Powell) a break too but it didn’t work out that way.

"The guys that came in are great players too – I don’t think we were a weakened side."

Full-back Matt Dufty also came off during the second half, with youngster Cai Taylor-Wray taking his place at number one.

Burgess said that too was a planned move and would have happened earlier were it not for centre Rodrick Tai coming off for a head injury assessment.

That led to Taylor-Wray coming onto the wing and Arron Lindop moving inside to centre but when Tai returned having passed his concussion test, Dufty was withdrawn.

"It was always the plan," Burgess said of Dufty's withdrawal.

"Cai is an out-and-out full-back. I planned to get Duff off five or six minutes into the half but with Rod going for a HIA, that changed a little bit.

"He didn’t like it at the time but he’ll be alright.

"I’ve got a few decisions to make now through the week as we’re getting close to full strength.

"We’ve got guys out for the year in Leon and Wrenchy but we’ll have the majority of guys back next week."