WOLVES are preparing to face two Catalans Dragons sides this week - one that has Todd Carney in it and one that does not!

The controversial Australian, who had his contract cut short by three NRL clubs for off-the-field misbehaviour, is yet to make his debut for the French club due to a training injury.

But with one defeat already chalked up – and Oliver Elima, Eloi Pelissier and Remi Casty confirmed absentees – Dragons boss Laurent Frayssinous will be doing all he can to get his star playmaker on the field for the visit of Wolves.

Despite the stand-off’s chequered history behind the scenes, former NRL player of the year Carney’s talents on the field are undoubted.

Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith said: “He’s a terrific attacking player and a good rugby league player that’s admired around the world. On his game he’s as good as anyone around.

“If he’s there, will he make a difference? Absolutely, but we’re preparing for if he is there and if he isn’t as well.

“He will make a difference to them. He’s got a great kicking game, great running game and his passing game is terrific as well.”

Gareth O’Brien has started Wolves’ campaign at number six and if he continues that role in Perpignan the 23-year-old Warringtonian could have his hands full.

The homegrown talent is not fazed though and showed in the World Club Series clash against St George Illawarra Dragons that he presents danger to opposition too.

O’Brien said he would relish the duel and added: “He’s a world-class player, one of the best in the world, and we’ll look forward to the challenge if he’s there.

“I was up against Benji Marshall on Friday and I enjoyed that too.”

O’Brien sold successive dummies to New Zealand superstar Marshall and New South Wales full back Josh Dugan to score a stunning try that he converted himself to put Wolves level at 6-6 against Dragons before going on to lose 18-12.

O’Brien, Warrington’s match winner with a 40-metre drop goal in the team’s last Super League outing at Hull, was downhearted after Friday’s loss and said: “The try was a consolation. I threw a big dummy and the defence opened up for me.

“I didn’t know what Josh Dugan was then going to do as I approached him so I just threw another dummy and he took it.

“I was happy to get over but I’d have been more happy with the result.

“It was really disappointing to lose and we were really disappointed with our defensive performance.

“At the beginning of the year we addressed our defence. We want to be number one in the competition for defence.

“We showed some good stuff with the ball and moved them around, which was our plan. But the defence let us down and we need to fix it up heading into a tough Catalans trip.”