A PATCHED-UP Warrington Wolves side did a fine job against London Broncos on Sunday afternoon - and their numbers look set to be boosted when the sides meet again next week.

After The Wire had thrashed London 58-4 in the capital to move top of Super League, head coach Sam Burgess confirmed he looks set to have up to six players back into contention for the Challenge Cup sixth-round clash between the two at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington ran in 10 tries at the Cherry Red Records Stadium despite having both of their first-choice half-backs missing through injury in George Williams (ankle) and Josh Drinkwater (thigh).

They were also without Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Ben Currie and Danny Walker for personal reasons - Fitzgibbon had returned to Australia due to a family bereavement while Currie and Walker remained in the north due to the imminent arrivals of their newborn children.

As things stand, however, Burgess thinks he could have all of them available for next week's reunion with the Broncos.

When asked how many of his missing players would be back next week, he said: "Hopefully all of them.

"We’ll almost be back to normal, barring Rod Tai."

Matty Nicholson returned to the matchday squad for the first time this season following a groin injury after he was named as 18th man.

However, Burgess confirmed he was not ready to play and if he became available through the loss of two players through foul play, he would not have used him.

He too, though, looks set to make his return this week.

"I wouldn’t have played him as he’s not fit," Burgess said of Nicholson.

"That’s how short on numbers we were. He was the only bloke left that I could bring down but if it came down to it, I wouldn’t have played him and we would have played with 12.

"We’ve spent a long time trying to get him fit and healthy, but he’s probably still a week away.

"He’ll more than likely play next week, but we didn’t want to risk anything this week."