TONY Smith has backed Will Dagger to make a success of his senior debut for Wolves against Castleford Tigers on Sunday, kick off 3.30pm.

The 18-year-old academy product will start at full-back at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle as The Wire look to become the first team to take points off the Super League leaders at home in 2017.

A former Castleford Panthers junior, Dagger has been capped by England at under 16s level but Smith says he is ready to make the step up to the first team.

“He is an outstanding prospect. He’s a player we’ve considered on a few occasions this year,” he said.

“He’s a specialist full-back so it’s an opportunity on both sides. It gives us a chance to fill some of the other positions we’re short in.

“He’s slotted into the squad really well so far and I think he will do a great job for us.”

Dagger’s inclusion comes as Wolves were hit by three more injuries, with the backs department taking another hit.

Matty Russell limped out of Sunday’s 44-4 defeat at Huddersfield Giants and scans have revealed a medial knee ligament strain.

Ryan Atkins, The Wire’s only fit, recognised centre, will also miss the clash with Daryl Powell’s side with a hernia injury, while Kevin Brown (foot) joins him on the sidelines.

Matty Blythe is expected to start in the centres alongside either Jack Hughes or Stefan Ratchford, who could also move into the halves to partner Declan Patton, while Daryl Clark returns from suspension.

Wolves are already without Kurt Gidley (calf) and long-term absentees Rhys Evans, Harvey Livett, Toby King, Ben Westwood and Ben Currie, while Jack Johnson and Sam Wilde are on loan at Widnes.

However, Smith has called on his side to overcome this latest challenge to restore “pride and respect”.

“We’re down on numbers in a few positions but it’s an obstacle we’ve got to overcome,” he said.

“It’s a challenge but it’s one we think we can handle.

“We need to rebuild our pride and respect for each other and we need to do that together. We’re hurting as individuals and as a club.

“All we can do is get out there and show our fighting spirit and it’s a good opportunity for us to do that against the form team in the competition.

“I don’t think Super League could throw up a tougher challenge than this one, but we’re going to take it head on.

“We need to make sure that our attack improves but our defence in our own area isn’t up to the standards we set.

“We’ve discussed it and dissected it and hopefully we can put some of that right on Sunday.”