Wakefield Wildcats: Chester happy with his inherited squad

Wildcats, who travel to Hull tonight, are 11th in the table, above only Chester’s former club Hull KR.

But the incoming coach insisted: “I look at the squad of 31 and it’s probably one of the biggest in the competition.

“There is some movement in terms of bringing a player in maybe – we’re looking over here and overseas – just to add a little bit of quality, but it’s taking a little bit of time.

“I think the squad’s certainly capable of surviving.

“It’s a very good squad, a fit and a healthy squad at the minute and you need a healthy one over Easter.”

Chester stressed: “We’ll try and add a little bit of quality, but if not I’m more than happy with what’s available.

“We should have six or seven players back next week, which brings some competition to guys playing.

“I’m just looking forward to the challenge of coaching this side and signs seen so far are pretty positive.”

Assistants Stuart Dickens and Lee Gilmour have selected the team for tonight’s game.

“Stu and Lee have taken the team run and they’ll be in charge,” Chester said of the trip to KC Stadium.

“I’ll get back into it on Saturday morning and try and put my stamp on things next week.

“I’ve not had too much input into how they play, but that will change next week.

“The guys are looking forward to it. They’ve trained pretty well and I’ve said to them it’s a blank canvas.

“I don’t know really too much about these players here – I think there’s only Craig Hall I’ve actually coached – so they will all get an opportunity these next two or three weeks to shine and try and impress.”

Chester, who lives in Wakefield and was a Trinity season ticket holder as a youngster, confirmed Dickens and Gilmour will be staying on the backroom staff.

“I’m looking forward to working with Stu and Lee,” he stated. “They are both very knowledgeable guys and we’ve a great bunch of players to work with as well.”

Chester, who succeeds Brian Smith following his resignation last week, has inherited a team with just one victory to their credit this year.

But he predicted: “We just need a win and that will breed some confidence.

“There’s no easy games and I’m under no illusions about how tough a challenge it is going to be.

“We know where we’re sat in the table, but we’ll be doing our damnedest to try make sure we climb that ladder.”

Wildcats will be without injured duo Ben Jones-Bishop and Reece Lyne tonight and Jason Walton and Tinirau Arona are suspended for the encounter.

Players vying for a call-up are Chris Annakin, Joe Arundel, Ashley Gibson, Max Jowitt, Jon Molloy and Andy Yates.

Hull: from Bowden, Ellis, Green, Houghton, Logan, Manu, Michaels, Minichiello, Naughton, Paleaaesina, Pritchard, Shaul, Sneyd, Taylor, Thompson, Tuimave, Washbrook, Watts, Yeaman.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: from Anderson, Annakin, Arundel, Ashurst, England, Finn, Gibson, Hall, Howarth, Johnstone, Jowitt, Miller, Molloy, Scruton, Simon, Sio, A Tupou, Walker, Yates.

Referee: James Child (Dewsbury).

Kick-off: Tonight, 8pm.