WOLVES players are showing in training that they are ready for Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final, head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith says.

The Wire will walk out at Wembley Stadium to face Super League leaders Hull FC, kick off 3pm, with the aim of securing their fourth Challenge Cup title in eight years.

Hull have won both league meetings between the two sides this year and Smith says that makes the Black and Whites favourites.

However, he also says his confidence for Saturday’s showpiece is raised by his players’ attitude during preparation and the work done under first-team coach Richard Agar.

“They’ve been outstanding,” said Smith.

“The past few days have been really good. They’ve done a lot of work on the park – Rich Agar has put them through their paces on defence and the results have been absolutely superb.

“There’s quite a few guys in our group who have experienced Wembley in both victory and defeat but it’s more about what we can do together.

“We’re building it up and we’re going to give it our best shot.

“We’re probably slight underdogs having not beaten Hull this year but this will be a pretty good stage to get our first victory against them.”

Behind the scenes, Smith decided on his team for the game earlier in the week – with the only question mark being on the fitness of loose forward Joe Westerman.

The 26-year-old, who played for Saturday’s opponents in their 2013 Challenge Cup Final defeat to Wigan, injured an ankle in Saturday’s win over Castleford but Smith is confident he will be fit to play.

The Wire boss also says telling players they will not be involved is never easy but knows those players can still play a role in the overall operation.

“It’s tough to tell people they’re not playing, it’s a boyhood dream to play at Wembley so to disappoint people on that count is always hard,” he said.

“It’s not said with any sort of ease because people have played, trained and made a lot of sacrifices all year so you understand what’s at stake for them.

“I try and tell them with respect and then it’s down to the player to handle it in the right way. It’s difficult but I wouldn’t trade that responsibility for not making a final.

“The response of the players who got left out, after finding out their news, was absolutely first class.

“Hats off to them, the guys who don’t make the team can still help us make it a successful week.”