STEVE Price admits he is “really disappointed” with the amount of penalties his Wire side are giving away – but says he has to trust the players to put it right on the field.

Warrington have been penalised 49 times so far in 2018 – more than any other Super League side – with 10 of those penalties coming in Friday night’s 21-12 defeat at Hull FC.

However, Price says the players are working hard to put it right, starting with the clash with unbeaten leaders St Helens tomorrow, Friday, kick off 7.45pm.

“We’re the most penalised team in possession in Super League. That’s something I’m really disappointed with,” he said.

“We can do a bit to address the discipline on the training field, but I have to trust the players to get it right on the night.

“We certainly need to cut down our yardage penalties as well.

“That needs to be addressed and it has been in team meetings.

“We’re working extremely hard but we’re not giving ourselves a chance to sustain and build enough pressure at the right end of the field.”

The Wire will be boosted by the return of half-back Kevin Brown for Friday’s game after he sat out the trip to East Yorkshire with a head injury, while centre Bryson Goodwin is in contention after recovering from a knock to his knee.

Dec Patton starts a five-match ban for the high tackle which saw him sent off at Hull.

Sita Akauola also picked up a one-game suspension for dangerous contact in the same game, while Jack Johnson’s season has been ended by a broken leg sustained in training on Tuesday.

Price is particularly pleased to see England international Brown return to the fold.

“I’ve been pleased with the contribution Kev has brought to the team,” he said.

“He’s been building into his game and I’m really pleased with the steps he’s taken.

“He’s really driven the team when he’s played and he’s been driving our standards really professionally.

“His preparation on and off the field is first class. I really enjoy his attitude and he’s a pleasure to work with.”

Price leads his Wolves team into battle against a Saints side brimming with confidence after winning their opening four games.

The Wire boss admits his side will start as underdogs but says they are “desperate” to get back to winning ways.

“We always go out there to play football and get that W,” he said.

“They’re playing really good football and they’ll certainly be the favourites, but they’re stepping onto our pitch.

“They’ve set the benchmark for the season so far. They put a big score on Castleford first up and they’ve been really consistent thereafter.

“They have every right to start as favourites. We’re coming off a loss and we’re desperate to get back in that winner’s circle.”

One man receiving plenty of plaudits is Saints’ influential full-back Ben Barba, who has four tries and six assists to his name so far in 2018.

Price worked with Barba during his time as an assistant coach at Cronulla Sharks and thinks he has a formula to stop him, but insists they cannot take their eye off anyone in Justin Holbrook’s side.

“Ben’s playing with a lot of confidence at the moment and I have a big rap on him as a footballer and a person,” he said.

“He’s in a good place and he’s enjoying his footy so we’re going to have to be really good around him on Friday night.

“I’d like to think I know a fair bit about Benny and his style of play. We’ll have to be disciplined around him, offensively and defensively.

“They have a lot of strike throughout their whole 17, not just Benny.”

“That said, if we can put the things we’ve been working hard on into practice, we think our game can flourish.”