JOHN Bateman's Warrington Wolves debut has moved a step closer.
Having arrived in the country this week to begin his short-term move from Wests Tigers, the England international back-rower has been named in The Wire's 21-man squad for Friday's top-of-the-table clash with Hull Kingston Rovers at The Halliwell Jones Stadium and is likely to make his first appearance for the club.
And his inclusion is not the only boost for head coach Sam Burgess, who is able to name prop Joe Philbin in his squad for the first time in nearly two months.
The Warringtonian front-rower has not played since the victory at Catalans Dragons in May having had surgery on an adductor muscle injury, but he has returned to full training this week.
Second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon and centre Toby King are also in contention to return from shoulder and hamstring injuries respectively having been in the 21-man squad for last week's trip to Wigan Warriors without making the final 17.
Youngsters Cai Taylor-Wray and Tom Whitehead are the two to drop out of the 21.
Warrington Wolves squad to face Hull KR, Super League Round 20
Matty Ashton, John Bateman, Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie, Josh Drinkwater, Matt Dufty, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Adam Holroyd, Toby King, Arron Lindop, Zane Musgrove, Matty Nicholson, Joe Philbin, Sam Powell, Rodrick Tai, Josh Thewlis, Paul Vaughan, Danny Walker, George Williams, Max Wood, Luke Yates
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