YOUNG half back Declan Patton is to be thrown in to help Wolves end a four-game losing run when they host Wakefield on Saturday, kick off 1.30pm.

The 19-year-old looks set to be joined by Gene Ormsby, yet to feature in Tony Smith’s side this year.

Patton and Ormsby have been playing for partner-club North Wales Crusaders, but Smith says Saturday is a chance to impress at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

“Declan will get his chance this weekend and so will Gene,” said Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby.

“It’s an opportunity for those two boys to come in and make a difference if they can.”

Patton, a former Latchford Albion junior, signed a two-and-a-half-year professional deal with Wolves in July and was a key part of Lee Briers’ under 19s squad last season.

“Declan’s been working really hard on his game and going well for North Wales,” explained Smith.

“He’s an exciting young player and he’s on the way up.

"He’s got something about him – he’s got good vision, good talk and a pretty good kicking game.

“He’s a creative player as well as being pretty strong in most areas.

"It’s just been about developing him and getting him into the full-time environment.”

Ormsby made 20 appearances for Wolves in 2014, scoring 13 tries, but the winger has fallen behind Kevin Penny in the pecking order in 2015.

“Gene’s had to be patient and he’ll now get his opportunity. He wasn’t far off it in pre-season but he’s finally got his chance,” added Smith.

“It was touch and go between him and Kevin in pre-season and Kev got the nod. It’s been a matter of Kev doing ok since he’s been there that’s made it hard for Gene to get a crack.

“Gene’s very close to it now and he’ll get another opportunity to stake a claim for the position. He’s had to wait patiently for his chance.”

Matty Russell is out for approximately six weeks with ankle ligament damage, while Gary Wheeler could return from a calf injury to face Wigan next Thursday.

And Smith is looking for some improved performances after defeat to Castleford on Monday.

“We’ve got some characters that have been stepping up and doing really well,” he said.

“Chris Hill’s been consistent each week and Ashton Sims I thought was near one of his better games for us, he’s been pretty strong all the way through.

“Richard Myler was good for somebody who’s been out for so long. We’ve had some decent performers there as well as a few who have been below their best.

“We need those who've been below their best to get near it again to make it easier on all the team.”

Wolves are currently the lowest points scorers in Super League and former Great Britain coach Smith says that needs to change.

“It’s not just consistency, we need more penetration and to ask more questions in attack – the ability to score more points,” he added.

“We’ve been letting our opposition off the hook in terms of pressure by points scored and that’s a big one.

“We need to find some more attack in us and attack when we get close to the opposition line.

Wakefield visit Wolves on the back of seven successive defeats and Smith expects both sides to be fighting hard to turn their form around.

“They’re a bit like ourselves in terms of being a bit down on confidence and the way they’re executing,” he continued.

“They’re going to be digging in and trying to turn their loss of form around. You’re going to get two very determined teams this weekend.

“It’s more about how we go about it than how Wakefield are, that’s for them to worry about, but they’ll certainly be in there fighting – they’re that kind of team.”