WOLVES are looking to enter the Middle 8s in the best possible form by beating Widnes Vikings tonight, Thursday, kick off 8pm.

Both sides will finish in Super League’s bottom four, with The Wire consigned to ninth place by Huddersfield’s victory over bottom side Leigh on Friday.

Their neighbours cannot catch 10th-placed Catalans but could still be overtaken by the Centurions should they lose at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Wolves head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith says a third victory in a row will be key to his side maintaining their momentum.

“Everyone going out there on Thursday is keen to do a great job,” Smith said.

“It’s important for us to keep going. We understand that and we want to be going in the right direction once the Middle 8s come round.

“Whether Widnes are at full strength or not, the rivalry between the two clubs lifts players. We know we’re going to be in for a very tough derby match.

“We’re all disappointed not to be in the Super 8s but the players are keen to make sure we’re in the best possible form.

“No matter who we’re playing in the next phase, we need to be playing well. It’s important for us to keep that momentum and build on our recent performances.

“We’re just focused on doing a good job and doing the little things well.

“Our defence has improved in the past few weeks and our kicking game has improved enormously.”

Vikings coach Denis Betts has left key players such as Chris Houston and Rangi Chase out of his 19-man squad, but Smith has picked his strongest available group.

Kevin Brown and Matty Russell return from foot and knee injuries respectively and are expected to slot straight back into the Wolves side.

They are set to replace Kurt Gidley and Ben Pomeroy, who were both injured during Thursday’s 16-10 victory over Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium, while Joe Westerman (hip flexor) is still out.

Scans on Gidley have discovered a small fracture to his fibula and he is expected to miss around five weeks, while Pomeroy could return just before that if a toe fracture heals well.

Brown is expected to partner Dec Patton in the halves, while Peta Hiku will move inside to right centre to allow Russell to play outside him on the wing.

n Wolves squad: Ryan Atkins, Kevin Brown, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Brad Dwyer, Peta Hiku, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Benjamin Jullien, George King, Tom Lineham, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Matty Russell, Andre Savelio, Ashton Sims, Morgan Smith.