Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity - Coach Chris Chester upbeat with stronger squad options available to him

Wakefield have yet to win since lockdown ended, but Chester will select from a stronger squad than in recent weeks and insisted: “We’re looking forward to it.”

Chester added: “It’s another huge challenge for us, we know where we’re at at this moment in time and how good Wigan are and how well they are playing. It will be a good physical battle for us and we’ve nothing to lose.”

Though Liam Kay and Eddie Battye were hurt against Huddersfield seven days ago, Tom Johnstone is available following an elbow injury and Alex Walker, Jacob Miller, David Fifita, Tinirau Arona, Matty Ashurst, Chris Green and Adam Tangata could all be recalled.

Brad Walker, who signed from Widnes Vikings last year and was on loan at Newcastle Thunder earlier in the season, could make his debut.

Max Jowitt, Connor Bailey and Josh Wood make way.

Chester - who has named 20 players rather than the usual 21 - added: “There’s been a few disappointing performances defensively and high numbers of missed tackles within that, but we are getting some senior players back which should help in terms of the leadership and direction on the field.

“We’re looking forward to getting some leaders back out there.”

Trinity lost to Wigan 23-22 last month, after hitting back from 22-6 down in the last half an hour.

“We just can’t give them a lead,” Chester admitted.

“We’ve got to get our start right, be physical and match the aggression and line speed they’ve got and come up with some smarter plays.

“We want to do the little things really well.”

Ben Flower, Liam Byrne and Chris Hankinson return to Wigan’s initial squad, with Dom Manfredi and Mitch Clark dropping out from the side which beat Hull last Saturday.

Wigan Warriors: from Hardaker, Hankinson, Gildart, J Burgess, French, Leuluai, Powell, Isa, Farrell, O’Loughlin, Flower, Greenwood, Partington, Byrne, Bibby, Smith, Wells, Harvard, Hastings, Borough, Shorrocks.

Wakefield Trinity: from A Walker, Johnstone, Tupou, Lyne, Jones-Bishop, Miller, Fifita, K Wood, Arona, Ashurst, Westerman, Pitts, Kopczak, Green, Tangata, Crowther, B Walker, Tanginoa, Navarrete, Gigot.

Referee: James Child (Dewsbury)

Kick-off: Today, 8.15pm.

Venue: HJ Stadium, Warrington.

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