ROPER READY FOR WOLVES RETURN (From Warrington Guardian)

ROPER READY FOR WOLVES RETURN

JON Roper is set for a return against Sheffield Eagles on Monday which will add to the concerns of visiting coach John Kear.

This week Kear talked about being impressed with Warrington Wolves' dangerous back line and Roper's return gives Darryl Van de Velde another lethal weapon to unleash.

Kear said: "I have watched four Warrington games on tape this week and it is their ability to score from wide out which has impressed me.

"Warrington's three-quarter line is crammed with pace and if Jon Roper is fit and plays then he is another we will have to guard.

"All in all I think Warrington are playing good rugby and Darryl Van de Velde has moulded his men into an efficient unit.

"But we have a good record at Warrington. In my time with Sheffield I have had three wins and a draw against Warrington and we plan to add to it on Monday."

Roper is itching to get back into the action after missing Warrington's last four games with a hamstring injury. It was the last thing he wanted after missing half of last season with a broken leg, coincidentally from the home game with Sheffield last June.

But Roper is expected to start on the bench in the 3pm kick-off with Van de Velde looking to field the same starting 13 which pulled off the 30-18 win at London on Saturday.

Roper says: "I was probably fit to play at London but Darryl thought it best we leave it for one more week but I am fit now and it is up to Darryl to pick me.

"I didn't go along to London as my wife is expecting in two weeks so I stayed at home. But I'm keen now to get back in action and I would just like to put a run of games together."

Kear's concerns appear to be containing Warrington's backs but Van de Velde's problem is fielding fit prop forwards.

Mark Hilton injured a shoulder at London, the opposite side to the one which was reconstructed twice, and he was due to see a specialist after the GUARDIAN had gone to press yesterday, Thursday. But he has not been ruled out of playing against the Eagles.

Danny Nutley's shoulder is recovering well and hopes remain high that he will not need an operation to repair damage. The test will be when he takes to the field again and takes full impact on his shoulder. The Leeds match at home on May 16 is being targeted for his comeback.

Front rowers Gary Chambers, who has hada knee problem and Andy Leathem, who had a closed-eye, have been passed fit and Warren Stevens will be available from the Alliance Under 21s if required.

Sheffield, who have won four of their last five outings including an impressive success over Leeds Rhinos, will be without Great Britain prop Dale Laughton who was suspended for two matches this week following his head-butting of a Wakefield player on Sunday. Former Wire star Steve Molloy is expected to fill his shoes.

The Eagles' biggest doubt is centre Daio Powell with a calf strain.

Wolves: Lee Penny; Jason Roach, Toa Kohe-Love, Alan Hunte, Mark Forster; Scott Wilson, Lee Briers; Andy Leathem, Danny Farrar, Gary Chambers, Simon Gillies, Steve McCurrie, Mike Wainwright.

Sheffield (new signings with former teams in brackets): Dave Watson; Karl Lovell (Parramatta), Daio Powell (Halifax), Keith Senior, Bright Sodje; Jeff Hardy (St. George), Mark Aston; Steve Molloy, Johnny Lawless, Darren Shaw, Simon Baldwin (Halifax), Darren Turner, Adam Doyle.

Warrington Academy team's curtain-raiser against Sheffield Academy will kick-off at 12.45pm.

The Student Rugby League Premiership and Plate finals will take place at Wilderspool on Tuesday. Universities of Birmingham and Teesside will kick-off in the Plate at 6pm with Liverpool John Moores against University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, following on at 7.45pm.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.