WOLVES head coach Tony Smith admits the current injury situation is “a challenge” to his side ahead of Friday’s 'derby' with Widnes.

But, after successive defeats to St Helens and Huddersfield Giants, there is positive updates surrounding half backs Kurt Gidley and Stefan Ratchford, along with prop forward Jordan Cox.

Smith’s side are struggling for depth in the half-back department, with current incumbents Gidley and Ratchford playing with niggling knocks in recent games and the influential Chris Sandow sidelined with a hamstring tear.

Joining the Australian in the treatment room is youngster Dec Patton, who had an operation on a knee injury picked up while playing on dual-registration for Rochdale last weekend.

“Dec needed a tidy up of his meniscus and we think it’s around a six to eight week recovery,” said Smith.

“It’s something that went during the game for Rochdale and locked up on him so he’s had to undergo an operation but he’ll be back in no time I’m sure.

“We’ve had quite a lot of depth so far this year but it’s getting challenged at the moment, like most other teams.

“We’ve been up to nine, 10, 11 injuries at times this year ourselves and we’ve managed to cope with it pretty well but it does challenge you when you’ve got players carrying knocks.

“It is a challenge for all clubs, even ones like ours with quite a bit of depth.”

The knocks currently being suffered by Gidley and Ratchford are clearing up, meaning they should resume kicking practice shortly.

Smith also said Cox should be ready to return for the Widnes game after sitting out the past two defeats with a shoulder issue - with the head coach noting the prop has had a tongue-in-cheek message for the caamp this week.

“Gids and Stefan are getting closer, hopefully they will get back to fully practicing shortly,” he said.

“Gids is back doing a little bit of practice, not so much goal-kicking this week but he’s been doing general field kicking already, so that’s a good sign and hopefully he’ll be fine to start practicing his goal-kicking as well.

“Coxy should be alright, I think he’s going to make it. He’s come back to save us so he’s said!”