PAUL Cullen hopes Michael Monaghan's return will lift Wolves against Harlequins on Saturday with the Australian set to replace Lee Briers in the halves.
Briers tweaked a calf muscle in Monday's 34-31 win at Castleford and is a major doubt for the Quins home clash, which kicks off at 6pm.
But Monaghan is ready to return after missing the Easter period with a long-standing calf injury that had blighted him since pre-season.
He is likely to partner Vinnie Anderson in the halves, although Paul Wood revealed in his blog for the Warrington Guardian website that Simon Grix has an outside chance of a surprise return after responding to treatment on an ankle injury.
Grix had an operation last Tuesday and had been expected to be out for another six weeks.
Cullen is wary Wolves may be tired after their Easter exertions but hopes a fresh Monaghan can make a difference.
He said: "Michael could have played on Friday and he could have played on Monday. That niggle in the calf had to be put to bed and hopefully the time has enabled him to do that.
"We expect him to play on Saturday against Harlequins.
"Easter is a difficult period.
"You never quite know whether the damage will show on day one or day two, or on week one or week two.
"Hopefully Michael Monaghan will give us the lift that we'll need to beat Harlequins."
Stuart Reardon is also a serious doubt for Saturday's game after limping off with a tweaked hamstring at Cas so Chris Hicks, who is Super League's top try scorer with 10 tries but was without a try for the first time this season on Monday, may again fill in as full back and goal-kicker. Paul Johnson may switch to the right wing.
Mike Cooper is likely to be unavailable after a reserve match saw him pick up an injury to the same ankle he damaged in a horrific leg fracture last year, although initial X-rays have been all clear. Lee Mitchell and Chris Riley could be in contention for call-ups.
