SIMON Moran believes Warrington Wolves still have the squad to challenge for honours despite a disappointing 2008 campaign.

Wolves had targeted reaching a major final this year and were widely tipped to finally make the breakthrough into the elite after some impressive big name signings.

But a third successive injury-hit year saw them finish sixth and crash 46-8 to Catalans in the first round of the play-offs on Saturday. Head coach Paul Cullen also departed in May to be replaced by Jimmy Lowes.

Although Wolves have signed Mickey Higham and Garreth Carvell this week, optimism levels are low among many supporters ahead of 2009 but Moran remains hopeful that the squad is there to achieve success.

Asked whether he viewed 2009 as a transitional year, he said: “Not really. We’ll be striving to be successful and I think with the squad we have we’ve got the ability to do that.

“The season has obviously been disappointing. Injuries are not an excuse but they have made a big impact on that.

“We didn’t achieve what we would have liked to have done, though.

“The injuries are a concern but there’s no magic wand.

“Hopefully strengthening the squad will lessen the impact of that.

“And we’ve got young players who have come in and will be better for that.”

Wolves have long been considered as a club close to making the step up to the top level of Super League but they have finished sixth, seventh and sixth in the last three seasons.

On whether this season’s sixth-placed finish was a fair reflection of where Wolves currently stand in the Super League pecking order, Moran admitted: “It is a fair reflection. It’s accurate.

“It’s not subjective. If you finish sixth, that’s where you are.”