RODRICK Tai will make his Warrington Wolves debut against London Broncos on Saturday, head coach Sam Burgess has confirmed.

The Papua New Guinea international has yet to feature since joining the club having sustained a knee injury during pre-season, but Burgess confirmed he would start the Challenge Cup sixth-round tie in the centres.

That looks likely to mean a rest for either Toby King or Connor Wrench among the changes the Wire boss plans to make to his side at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Half-back George Williams and back-rower Ben Currie are said to be unlikely to play and while Lachlan Fitzgibbon is back in the UK having returned to Australia following a family bereavement, he too will sit out Saturday’s game.

However, Burgess expressed his excitement for Tai’s debut but was keen to temper immediate expectations around the 25-year-old, admitting he expected him to be “rusty.”

“We’re going to play him in the centre and he’s done well to get back into the squad,” he said of Tai.

“He’s trained extremely hard and is in great physical shape. He’s probably not done as much running as we’d like from a fitness point of view, but he’s been cleared to play so we’ll give him some game time.

“He’s another one for whom we’ll see gradual improvement – I don’t want everyone judging him straight away.

We’re expecting him to be a bit rusty but it’s great to see him make his debut. He’s a great bloke to have around and the players really enjoy his company.”

On Fitzgibbon, who landed back in England this morning, Burgess added: “We’ll give him another week.

“He’s had a pretty big week in a lot of respects, but with the travel being as it is, we’ll get him right.

“He should hopefully be ready for Catalans next week.”

Burgess also confirmed Matty Nicholson would return to the 17 this week to make his first appearance of the season following a groin issue but would come from the bench, with Adam Holroyd and Joe Philbin continuing in the second row.

One player who will not be involved, however, is scrum-half Josh Drinkwater who continues his recovery from a thigh injury that has seen him miss the past two games.

“He’s not quite ready, but he’s not far off,” Burgess said.

“He’s training really well and it’s nice to have him doing bits around the team again.

“I’m not too sure how long he’ll be yet – they’re tricky injuries so you’ve got to be careful with them.”