TONY Smith has given some team selection hints ahead of Thursday’s trip to Wigan Warriors.

He is ready to stick with the young guns who served him well in Saturday’s 80-0 success against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, a win that took Wolves up to fifth in the table by the end of Super League Round 10.

Stand off Declan Patton, centre Toby King and winger Gene Ormsby all look set for another run in primrose and blue at the DW Stadium.

Smith, asked if he was tempted to stick with Patton in the key playmaking role, said: “He deserves his spot so yes, he’ll be there, there’s no doubt about that unless he pulls up injured through the week.

“He’s a 19-year-old who deserves his spot if he’s on form. And that’s how I pick a team – on form.”

Smith spoke of Patton’s frame as well as his skills.

“He’s always been a big kid for a half back – always had a big chest. He’s not the classical bild for a half back but he’s got some classical play about him and he reads play well,” said Smith of a former Latchford Albion junior who is signed up until the end of 2016.

“We’ve liked him for a while here. He’s had to learn a little bit about professionalism and about being totally dedicated to your sport and he’s done that probably for the last six months, making a decision to really go for it and it’s paying off for him.

“Dec was always going to get an opportunity this year but it probably came a little sooner than we all expected but he certainly took the first step of it on Saturday.

“He’s got a little bit of everything about him. He can kick, he’s got some of that cheekiness of a half back, the awareness, some strength too because of his build.

“He’s a resilient kid and he’ll get some opportunities.”

Smith revealed King was going to get a chance against Wigan even before the late call-up to replace injured Ryan Atkins against Wakefield.

The 18-year-old, who scored two tries against Wakefield, suffered a broken jaw early in the season playing for Wolves under 19s against Wigan’s Academy side and had only made one comeback game last weekend when he received a call late on Thursday night to take the place of Atkins, who is sidelined for two to three weeks with a sternum injury.

Smith said: “Saturday was good for Toby and will he get another shot at it? Absolutely. Based on that form against Wakefield it would be hard to leave him out.

“We were going to give him another game in the 19s against St Helens on Saturday and then pick him in the squad against Wigan anyway, but now he’s had a Super League run out rather than one with the 19s and he’s a great kid, a real pro.

“He and his brother, George, are terrific kids. They live, eat and breath rugby league and they do anything to get on the rugby league field.

“When I rang him at 10pm the other night and asked him was he happy to come to training the next day and play, I almost felt him jump through the phone.”