FORMER Warrington Wolves star James Laithwaite is fuelling the current crop Wire players with daily nutritious meals during their preseason training.

The second rower set up his clean-eating business Fuel Hub, an online service delivering healthy ready meals to customers’ doors, last year with partner Michelle McDowall.

Warrington Guardian:

James and Michelle in the kitchen at Fuel Hub's base

And since the squad returned to training in November, he has regularly been cooking up a treat for players and staff after their workouts at the University of Chester’s Padgate campus.

Laithwaite, an academy graduate who made 50 appearances for the club between 2013 and 2015, estimates that he will have provided around 3,000 meals for the hungry Wolves by the time the 2020 Super League season kicks off at the end of the month.

The 28-year-old said: “We’ve been down there four days a week since they came back in for training, providing 65 meals each time.

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“They’ve been loving it, they’re having a great preseason and the meals have helped with that.

“It’s going to stand them in good stead for the start of the season in a few weeks’ time.

“We cook the meals fresh and take them over, so the lads come off the field and eat straight away.

“We’re getting great feedback, and if we can help them to have a great season then that’s just what we want.”

Laithwaite set up the business after being forced to retire due to injury in 2018.

Warrington Guardian: James Laithwaite

Laithwaite in action for the Wolves in 2014

While he came out of retirement last season to play for Leigh Centurions, he has since left the Leythers in order to concentrate on his business and young family – including the couple’s newborn second child – although he has not ruled out a return to the pitch.

James added: “When I used to play for Warrington, it used to be things like paninis and chips to eat.

“Now they’re getting steak, beef noodles, Cajun chicken, jerk chicken, sweet potato wedges.

“They’re very lucky, because I know that most rugby clubs won’t have this – I’ve been at a few other clubs and you wouldn’t get anything like this.

“Nutritionally, they’re getting everything they need and it’s perfect for when they’ve finished training.

“Hopefully we will be providing them with meals throughout the season as well.”

Warrington Wolves’ head of performance Ade Gardner has given rave reviews to Fuel Hub, which is now also a club sponsor.

The former St Helens winger said: “Fuel Hub has provided an excellent service to our first team, helping to fuel what has been a very tough preseason schedule.

“Not only has the quality and taste of the food been impeccable, but the service provided by James and Michelle has been first class.”