WOLVES’ international players will be given “as much rest as possible” before returning to the club, head of strength and conditioning Jon Clarke said.

Nine of The Wire’s 26 contracted first-team players are currently with their national teams at the Rugby League World Cup, including four in the England squad.

Should England reach the final in Brisbane on December 2, it is possible that Chris Hill, Ben Currie, Stefan Ratchford and Kevin Brown may not return to Wolves training until the new year.

That would leave them little time to prepare for the opening Super League game of 2018 against Leeds Rhinos on February 1, but Clarke insists there are plans in place.

“We’ll certainly try to give them as much rest as we can, they have had a long, hard season,” he said.

“If you look at someone like Chris Hill and potentially Ben Currie, they could play in every game.

“That adds another dimension, so they will certainly get the right amount of rest.

“As a conditioner, you really have to earn your money when they come back in January and you only have three weeks to get them fit and strong again.”

There are only 60 days between the Rugby League World Cup final and the opening game of Super League, which starts earlier than it ever has done.

However, Clarke has backed the Wolves players who have been representing their countries in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea to cope with the shortened preparation period.

“Generally, you find those players who play internationally are ones that adapt very quickly,” he said.

“They keep themselves in the right shape physically, even when they are going through a rest.

“They get back on terms with everything very quickly anyway but the rest period will be crucial for them.

“It is key that they come back refreshed in the right shape, not just physically but mentally.”

The Wire players who are not in international action returned to pre-season training on Monday.

New additions Sitaleki Akauola, Bryson Goodwin and Tyrone Roberts will join the group when their visas allow them to travel.

Head coach Steve Price said: “Sitaleki and Bryson should hopefully be here in the next week, maybe Tyrone too or it will be the following week for him.

“It’s all exciting. It’s a good opportunity now with the nine guys over in the World Cup to be able to put a lot of energy into the smaller group.”

Wolves’ new coaching set-up are eager for junior players on the books to see and tread a pathway to the first team.

Four academy players – Brad Pinder, Joe Pilling, Ellis Robson and Joe Edge – are doing pre-season with the full-time squad.

Price said: “By bringing some young kids into the smaller group, we can grow them as they integrate with experienced players like the Benny Westwoods, Mike Coopers and Jack Hughes’.

“I’m really passionate about our junior academy and promoting local kids through our system and giving them the opportunity to become Warrington Wolves players in the near future.”