WOLVES skipper Joel Monaghan feels the arrival of fresh blood at this stage of the season could be a blessing.

Former Parramatta Eels scrum half Chris Sandow flew into Manchester Airport on Friday and was with the squad for Saturday's Challenge Cup semi final exit at the hands of Hull Kingston Rovers.

The defeat leaves sixth-placed Wolves with seven chances to haul back the four points difference on fourth-placed Huddersfield Giants going into the Super 8s, which starts with a return trip to Headingley to tackle table toppers Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.

Sandow is available for selection after Wolves' games against Hull KR and Castleford, which came after his registration, served to complete a two-match ban hanging over him from his Parramatta days.

Monaghan, highly dejected after Saturday's sub-standard team performance, said: "We've got seven games left. We can concentrate on that now without any distractions to see if we can get them done.

"Chris is a quality player and probably just what we need at the moment - an injection of freshness.

"I think he is going to be good for us. I've played against him and when he's on the money there's not many better.

"From speaking to him over the past few days, he's raring to go. That's the kind of attitude you want from him and I think he's going to go well over here."

Warrington Guardian:

Chris Sandow before yesterday's semi final at Headingley