The best is yet to come (From Warrington Guardian)

The best is yet to come

THE message from the Warrington Wolves camp this week is 'You've not seen anything yet!'

Seven days of warm weather training in Lanzarote and a full strength line-up in the final friendly match against Salford City Reds on January 30 should give Wolves supporters a clearer picture of the 2005 team's capabilities compared to the trial games against Widnes, Barrow and Whitehaven.

Wolves' 24-man Super League squad, coaches and medical assistants fly out to the Canary island today, Thursday, to add all-important further intensity to their preparations for the new Super League season, which starts at London Broncos on February 13.

Head coach Paul Cullen has ruled out Chris Bridge joining the rest of his squad men in Lanzarote.

The Bradford Bulls player had his necessary ankle clean-out operation on Tuesday and Warrington are now awaiting the 20-year-old being given an all-clear from the specialist so that his signing can be completed.

Cullen said: "We'd like to think you will see a difference between the Whitehaven and Salford performances because of the training we will be able to do in Lanzarote.

"The grounds are better there than they are here and the conditions will allow for a far more intense workout.

"January is the speed phase of our conditioning work and the power phase of our weights. Sometimes it is quite difficult to do speed work when your boots are coming off because of ankle deep mud.

"We now have what we have not had to the same level before, that is some very dynamic players who have a great turn of speed.

"Henry Fa'afili, Brent Grose, Martin Gleeson, Toa Kohe-Love, Daryl Cardiss and Dean Gaskell are all exceptionally quick and get far more benefit from running on a fast track than tromping through the mud at our training grounds in Orford.

"So in Lanzarote we will be in a far better environment for conditioning and also for skills work."

Great Britain international centre Martin Gleeson, rated the best in the world in his position by head coach Paul Cullen, is set to make his club debut against Salford along with New Zealand second row star Logan Swann.

As long as all players are fully fit next weekend, the team is expected to be:

Brent Grose; Henry Fa'afili, Martin Gleeson, Toa Kohe-Love, Dean Gaskell; Lee Briers, Nathan Wood; Chris Leikvoll, Jon Clarke, Mark Hilton, Logan Swann, Mike Wainwright, Paul Noone.

Cullen said: "Last year, we didn't play a match straight after coming back from Lanzarote and I thought it just took the edge off our last few sessions while we were out there.

"The year before, we did what we are doing this time. We returned on the Thursday and played London Broncos on the Sunday and hammered them at Wilderspool.

"We're looking for that kind of intensity within our working week because we have the big game against Salford three days after we get back."

As for the Bridge signing situation, Cullen said: "The operation to clean out his ankle was completed on Tuesday.

"First indications are that all went well. The problem highlighted for correction has been found and corrected.

"We'll wait now for the post-op procedure to be completed and the final consultation with the specialist.

"We're in agreement with Bradford and the player and we'll simply pick up the negotiations as and when we receive full medical clearance.

"As it is, he'll be signed on a three-year contract and the fee to Bradford is £30,000. That's the initial negotiation and we're not looking to alter any of those negotiation points. We believe we've got a good deal for a very good player."

Cullen spoke highly of Bridge's abilities and the qualities he can bring to Warrington.

He said: "I like the fact he has exceptional pace. He's one of the best goal kickers in the game and there's a toughness about him that really appeals to me.

"At the minute, he's almost an unknown. He has occasionally played and contributed to the Bradford Bulls but we still think there is massive potential in him.

"He's a stand off who covers the three-quarters. I certainly remember him playing on the wing against Warrington.

"He skinned us and scored a fantastic try when we were beaten at Bradford in 2004 and he went in from 45 metres out."