Who'd be a coach - even tougher call for Smith to cut Wolves' 19 to 17 (From Warrington Guardian)

Who'd be a coach - even tougher call for Smith to cut Wolves' 19 to 17

2:23pm Thursday 23rd August 2012 in Wolves news

IT is clear to see why Wolves boss Tony Smith has had some sleepless nights when you consider who has not made it into his 19-man squad for the Challenge Cup Final against Leeds Rhinos at Wembley.

And it will be even tougher to decide which two of his 19 will not be taking to the field on Saturday.

England international Chris Bridge , Wolves’ first-choice right centre since Martin Gleeson departed the club in 2009, misses out along with David Solomona, Matty Blythe , Rhys Williams, Rhys Evans and the injured Gareth O’Brien.

Bridge’s form has suffered as he has struggled with persistent tendonitis trouble in his knees this year and his last-ditch attempt to prove his case for Wembley in the defeat at London Broncos has failed to sway Tony Smith.

Your heart goes out to Solomona, who bravely fought his way back into contention after the horrific pre-season leg break and ankle dislocation in Australia would have finished off many careers.

Hopefully Blythe, Williams and Evans, as younger members of the squad, will have plenty of finals ahead of them in Warrington shirts.

O’Brien, another key figure this year, has had surgery on the shoulder dislocation he suffered playing for Warrington’s under 20s at St Helens on August 6 and is now well into his seven-to-eight weeks of rehabilitation.

Wolves’ 19-man squad: Ryan Atkins, Lee Briers, Garreth Carvell, Mike Cooper, Simon Grix, Ben Harrison, Micky Higham, Chris Hill, Brett Hodgson, Tyrone McCarthy, Joel Monaghan, Michael Monaghan, Adrian Morley, Richie Myler, Stefan Ratchford, Chris Riley, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Paul Wood.