Wolves respect Goulding (From Warrington Guardian)

Wolves respect Goulding

WARRINGTON Wolves' hopes of progression in the Powergen Challenge Cup were boosted this week when they were paired away to Rochdale Hornets for the first time in the last 65 years of the competition.

Hornets, who play in National League One and are coached by former St Helens skipper Bobbie Goulding, have only beaten Wolves in the Challenge Cup once but that will not stop the primrose and blue boys treating the game at Spotland on Saturday, February 28 with absolute professionalism.

Wolves' skipper Lee Briers, who was Goulding's understudy at Saints prior to joining Wolves, said: "We're quite pleased with the draw and we know Bobbie Goulding and we know what his team is going to be like - firing on all cyclinders and competing for 80 minutes. It's a tough and tricky draw but I don't think it should be too much of a problem."

Head coach Paul Cullen said: "Any team that has the services of Bobbie Goulding needs to be respected and we will afford this game utmost respect. It's a game we will look forward to once we get past Wakefield in the opening game of Tetley's Rugby Super League on February 21."

Wolves have loaned Matt Sturm and Richard Varkulis to Rochdale for an initial one month period and neither will be allowed to play in the game. Forward Sturm pulled a calf in training at the end of last week and his Spotland stint will start as soon as he has recovered.

Wolves' preparations for the new season will continue on Saturday as Cullen is expected to be fielding some of his Super League squad men in the under 21s game against Wigan at Wilderspool, kick-off 2pm.

Among those being considered for a run out are new props Chris Leikvoll and Danny Lima, Ian Sibbit, Paul Wood, Daryl Cardiss and Mike Wainwright.

Cullen said: "I'll decide late in the week after consultation with the players themselves and Wigan."

Leikvoll and Lima, who played in the Lee Penny Testimonial game on Saturday, have asked to be selected against Wigan.

Cullen said: "The two props came through Saturday's game fine.

"I have been working all of our players very heavily in the pre-season and I haven't changed my pre-season training programme to fit in with games, which are a budgetary requirement

"So basically our players have been sent into matches virtually in a state of full fatigue with heavy legs.

"That was the case for Lima and Leikvoll again on Saturday and they may have another run out this Saturday, at their request, so that they can keep pushing their levels.

"Then we'll be easing up on all the players and operating a proper pre-game programme next week.

"We are on track. We are where I expected us to be in our preparations and a little bit in front. Going into the Wakefield game I have 25 players virtually all going flat-out in training in the final fortnight of the build-up. It's a very encouraging position to be in."

Hooker Jon Clarke is recovering well from an operation that was needed to clear a breathing channel after suffering a broken nose in the friendly defeat of Salford on February 1. He has been wearing a protective mask as a precaution but he should be back in training by the end of the week to prepare for Wakefield.