PAUL Wood is raring to go after missing Warrington Wolves’ play-offs comeback against Widnes Vikings, according to boss Tony Smith.

Wood replaces Matty Russell in Smith’s 19-man squad following the Scotland international’s facial injury, with Stefan Ratchford stepping into the full back spot.

The prop served a one-match ban following his sin-binning at Wigan Warriors and Smith expects him to be at full throttle when Wolves visit Castleford Tigers tonight, Thursday.

“He learned his lesson, I think it’s given him a kick up the backside and it’ll inspire him for a good performance come Thursday night,” said Smith.

“It’s a good record they (Castleford) have got over there and we experienced one of their stronger performances.

“We need to turn some things around, but having said that they’ve had some performances that they’re not so pleased about in recent times as well.

“They’ll be looking for a response, but we’ll be looking for a strong performance and a good 80 minutes. If we do that it really puts us in with a shout.”

Russell, along with injured joint-skipper Ben Westwood, misses tonight’s fixture, but should Wolves make it through the pair may be close to a recall.

“That depends on the dental advice we get,” added Smith on Russell’s injury. “He’s got a couple more appointments yet.

“We’ll put his welfare first, but if he’s able to participate and we’re still alive and kicking, then we can have a look.

“He (Westwood) is not ready. Whether he’s able to make it through if we do for the following week, then he might get close.”

Smith will also be hoping his side enjoy a better first half than in the win against Widnes, although he was disappointed with the award of Paddy Flynn’s second try.

“Whether we should have been 18-0 down or 19-6 down, we did self inflict some of that as well,” he added.

“One of the tries, I’ve got to say, has been proven not to be a try as well, which is disappointing – particularly when it goes to video ref.

“It’s not nice. I understand when a referee gets it wrong and doesn’t have the video ref, but it’s disappointing when the technology is there and proves later, or even at the time, that it wasn’t a try.

“We need to be better, hopefully that’ll be this week and we’ll put out a good, solid 80-minute performance.”

And Smith knows Wolves will have to stop future hooker Daryl Clark if they are to keep their Grand Final dreams alive.

“He’s a fantastic player and a player I admire,” explained Smith. “He’s a player I’m excited about coaching in the future as he’s been super this year.

“I hope we’re able to do enough to stifle Daryl’s game because he’s a fantastic runner of the ball and he could cause even the best teams plenty of problems.

“As far as next year’s concerned all that’s put aside, he’ll be trying his hardest for Cas and we’ll be trying our hardest to succeed.”

Smith is also not worrying about who his side will face could face after the Club Call should they progress.

He added: “All that matters to us is we progress through to the next round, if we can do that we’ll find out Friday who play and get on with that. If we’re not performing well then that’s our season over.”