Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves - Key players back in contention as Tigers aim to to reach Wembley Challenge Cup final for first time since 2014

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Underdogs Castleford Tigers will field their strongest side since the early weeks of the season when they face Warrington Wolves in the second game of Saturday's Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final double-header at Leigh.

Coach Daryl Powell has named eight players who did not feature in the 60-6 home loss to Leeds Rhinos last Friday in his initial 21-man squad.

Alex Foster, who can play at centre or in the second-row, is in contention for the first time this year, after recovering from a biceps injury suffered in a pre-season game at Hull KR three months ago.

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Full-back Niall Evalds, centre Michael Shenton, stand-off Jake Trueman, forwards Oliver Holmes, Adam Milner and Nathan Massey and full-back/half-back Gareth O’Brien could all return as Tigers aim to end a three-game losing run.

Oliver Holmes - pictured celebrating his try against Leeds in April - is set to return for Tigers today. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Oliver Holmes - pictured celebrating his try against Leeds in April - is set to return for Tigers today. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Oliver Holmes - pictured celebrating his try against Leeds in April - is set to return for Tigers today. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Half-back Danny Richardson, who was replaced in the first half of last week’s game, has been dropped and full-back/winger Greg Eden also misses out, after picking up a hamstring injury against Leeds.

Forward George Griffin will serve a one-match suspension and young second-rower Lewis Peachey also drops out.

Sosaia Feki and Grant Millington remain on Tigers’ casualty list.

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Warrington are without Australian former Test star Greg Inglis who has a hamstring injury and is likely to be unavailable until next month.

Danny Richardson has been left out of Tigers' semi-final squad. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.Danny Richardson has been left out of Tigers' semi-final squad. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.
Danny Richardson has been left out of Tigers' semi-final squad. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.

Jason Clark has joined him on the sidelines after suffering a calf muscle strain in last week’s 62-18 demolition of Salford Red Devils.

Youngsters Ellis Longstaff and Connor Wrench have both been recalled from loan at Newcastle Thunder and are in contention for a call into the 17, along with Rob Butler, Mike Cooper and Josh Thewlis.

Tigers’ game follows the other semi-final, between Hull and St Helens, which kicks off at 2.30pm.

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Castleford Tigers: from Evalds, Olpherts, Mata’utia, Shenton, Trueman, Watts, McShane, Holmes, Blair, Milner, Massey, Foster, O’Neill, Hepi, Clare, Sene-Lefao, Smith, Matagi, Turner, Martin, O’Brien.

Warrington Wolves: from Akauola, Austin, Butler, Charnley, D Clark, Cooper, Currie, Davis, Hill, Hughes, King, Lineham, Longstaff, Mamo, Mulhern, Philbin, Ratchford, Thewlis, Walker, Wrench, Widdop.

Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield).

Kick-off: Saturday, 5pm, at Leigh Sports Village.

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