WOLVES’ players can expect a “very different” schedule when they return to pre-season training on Monday.

Those who are not involved at the Rugby League World Cup will report back to begin preparations for the 2018 Super League season.

Jon Clarke, the club’s head of strength and conditioning, says he has worked with new head coach Steve Price put a programme together that will keep the players “stimulated.”

However, Clarke has warned them to expect plenty of hard yards ahead of their opening Super League game of 2018 against Leeds Rhinos at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday, February 1.

“It will be very different in terms of content, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“We’ve got a new coach, so the guys are going to be exposed to a lot of new techniques, theories and philosophies.

“I’ve got to work alongside Steve to make sure that, from a strength and conditioning point of view, we’re keeping it fresh and stimulating for the players.

“They still have to come in and work hard and do the right things in order to get strong and fast.

“I’ve been speaking with Steve two or three times a week to discuss the schedule and what’s going to fit in where.

“We’ve worked all that in nicely and I think it will be refreshing for the lads.”

“The club has titled it as a new era and I can certainly feel that, which is great.”

Nine of The Wire’s 26 contracted players are with their national teams, while new signings Tyrone Roberts, Sitaleki Akauola and Bryson Goodwin will join the group when they arrive in the UK.

However, Clarke sees the benefits of working with an initially smaller pool of players.

He also explained the difficulties of building strength and power within players, a process he says does not happen overnight.

“The obvious downside is not getting your whole squad together, but we can really hone in on the boys we have got,” he said.

“They can really set some standards for the guys who are at the World Cup to try and match when they come back.

“It is a chance for them to get on the front foot, so having a smaller group could work out as a positive.

“As a conditioner, this is your busiest time. We’ve got to be on the money at this time of year.

“We’ve had 30-odd programmes to write with sessions involving speed, mobility, power and recovery.

“It’s very, very difficult to get players stronger and more powerful.

“It’s easy to get them fit, you can do that in a few weeks, but building strength and power is a year-on-year process.

“You really cannot underestimate the importance of this three months we have coming up.”