TONY Smith is confident Warrington Wolves are on course for a play-offs spot despite an inconsistent season so far.

Defeat at Huddersfield Giants on Sunday leaves Wolves sixth in Super League as the hosts re-took fourth spot; set to be the final play-offs place following the Super 8s.

But the club’s head of coaching and rugby says his side are not the only ones to have suffered from some ‘topsy-turvy’ results this year.

“There’s a lot of scope for teams who are outside the four to still make the four,” said Smith.

“We’re intending on being one of those teams.

“We’re only two points off it. It’s hardly like it’s a foregone conclusion about the season.

“Results have been topsy-turvy. People talk about our inconsistencies, but we were on the same points as Huddersfield last week and they’ve had their patches as well.

“So have Leeds, Saints and Wigan, but it’s a topsy-turvy season.”

Super League chiefs sought a more exciting format with the ‘New Era’ launched this year, but Smith feels injuries may have contributed to more unpredictable results.

“Short turnarounds haven’t been a positive for the standard of the competition, but they’ve certainly brought some ups and downs for every team,” he added.

“Every team has had to cope with big injury lists, which has affected the consistency of all the teams in Super League.

“It’s probably come for different reasons for what they would have hoped, but nevertheless it is interesting in that any team can beat any team.”

Wolves have lost Gareth O’Brien and Ben Currie to concussion for the trip to Hull KR tomorrow, Friday, 8pm kick off, while Anthony England starts a four-game ban for spitting at an opponent.

But Smith welcomes Ben Westwood back from suspension, while Toby King and Joe Philbin are fit again after injuries.

“We get Bennie Westwood back which is a positive,” explained Smith.

“He brings work rate, toughness – he’s a top class player and to get somebody like him back in the fold is a real coup.

“We probably missed him last week but I’m sure he’ll get out there and give us his best performance this week.”

And the former Great Britain coach expects his side to get back on track in East Yorkshire.

“We’re expecting them to be full of confidence, they had a really good performance last week,” he said.

“We’re going over there feeling we can do a job and do it well. We’re looking forward to to the challenge.

“We’re glad it’s come around quick, even though some of the bodies won’t be ready because of the concussion rule.”