Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester vows to make most of mini pre-season ahead of Super League return

Wakefield Trinity boss Chris Chester admits three weeks isn’t long enough to prepare for Betfred Super League’s return, but insists they will make the best of it.
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Trinity will resume organised training on July 20, ahead of a Super League round eight fixture on August 8/9.

Asked if that will give him and his team enough time at the end of what will be a near five-month gap between matches, Chester admitted: “No - nowhere near.”

But the coach stressed: “There are strange circumstances.

Jack Croft scores on his Trinity debut, away to St Helens last season. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Jack Croft scores on his Trinity debut, away to St Helens last season. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Jack Croft scores on his Trinity debut, away to St Helens last season. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
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“Ideally we would have much preferred a four- or five-week block, but we know what the situation is and how many weeks we’ve got and we’ve just got to make the most of the three weeks.

“The first week will be in small groups of, I think, six and we are hoping in week two and three we can ramp up.

“We are still dictated by Public Health England, there’s still some restrictions in place, but it’ll be nice just to get back in among the boys.”

Three games will take place on August 2, with a full fixture list the following weekend.

Joe Arundel Trinity's miss the return to training as he recovers from knee surgery. Picture by Tony Johnson.Joe Arundel Trinity's miss the return to training as he recovers from knee surgery. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Joe Arundel Trinity's miss the return to training as he recovers from knee surgery. Picture by Tony Johnson.
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Trinity will be training at a coronavirus-proofed Mobile Rocket Stadium, Belle Vue.

“It’s all set up,” Chester said.

“It will be strange - you go in one door, nothing in the dressing room, out on the field, train and then go straight to the gym and out the back door.

“It is going to be different and difficult to get used to, but the main thing is we are back in.

Wakefield coach Chris Chester. Picture by  Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comWakefield coach Chris Chester. Picture by  Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Wakefield coach Chris Chester. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

“I think we are all looking forward to it.”

Chester will not be calling his full squad in from the start of their mini pre-season.

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Players have been on the government’s furlough - paid leave - scheme throughout the sport’s shutdown, which began after Trinity’s Coral Challenge Cup fifth round win over Bradford Bulls in March.

Injured players will be staying away and Chester confirmed: “There’ll be some kids who have to stay at home and we’ll bring those back over a number of weeks.

“Hopefully the restrictions will be lifted and we’ll slowly bring people back into the fold.”

Chester plans to give some of Trinity’s rookies an opportunity, particularly when his side have to play three times in a week.

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Clubs have been sent a draft of revised fixtures, but the new schedule has not yet been revealed by Super League.

Chester insisted: “I am looking forward to blooding some of these youngsters.

People like Jack Croft and Connor Bailey are certainly going to be involved in the group that comes back on the 20th.

“It is a good opportunity and good experience for them.

“They are certainly well and truly in my thoughts for the first couple of weeks.”

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Meanwhile, Bradford Bulls have confirmed the signing of Trinity half-back Danny Brough. The 37-year-old, who will miss the restart of the season because of a hip injury, is out of contract this autumn and has penned a two-year deal beginning in 2021.

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