THE return from niggling injuries to Friday’s 19-man squad by props Roy Asotasi and Ben Evans along with hooker Micky Higham is some positive news for Warrington Wolves after Paul Wood and Simon Grix joined Ben Westwood in the wars as a result of successive battles with Hull KR.

Front rower Wood, only two games back after knee surgery, will go under the knife to repair a bicep tear tomorrow, Thursday, while Wolves are crossing fingers and toes that loose forward Grix will not require a season-ending operation on his dislocated shoulder.

Wolves boss Tony Smith said: “It will be eight to 10 weeks out for Woody I’d say at a guess, but you never know until the surgery. It’s a blow for him after not being back that long.

“We had to wait for the swelling to go down on Simon’s shoulder in order to have the scan and see the consultant for a decision on whether it’s necessary to operate or whether it can be rehabilitated.

“With rehabilitation we could have him back in eight to 10 weeks, but if it’s the other scenario he’ll be gone for the season.

“We’re remaining open minded and waiting to see what the consultant feels is required.”

Smith revealed that joint skipper Westwood’s calf tear, sustained in the Challenge Cup win at Hull KR a fortnight ago, could be up to six weeks in mending.

“Knowing Bennie, he heals well so if he gets back before the six weeks that will be a bonus,” he said.

Smith confirmed his selection approach for the two games over Easter.

“It’s one game at a time, all the focus is on Widnes,” he said.

“Hopefully we’ll do a good job and then we’ll see how the bodies are and assess it from there for the Castleford game.”

Wolves’ Easter kick-offs are 2.45pm against Widnes and 3.30pm versus Castleford.

Wolves squad to face Vikings: 10 Roy Asotasi, 4 Ryan Atkins, 3 Chris Bridge, 17 Ben Currie, 22 Brad Dwyer, 19 Anthony England, 25 Ben Evans, 18 Rhys Evans, 15 Ben Harrison, 9 Micky Higham, 8 Chris Hill, 23 James Laithwaite, 5 Joel Monaghan, 14 Michael Monaghan, 7 Richie Myler, 20 Gareth O’Brien, 6 Stefan Ratchford, 1 Matthew Russell, 11 Trent Waterhouse.