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THE returns of Mike Forshaw, Daryl Cardiss and Mark Gleeson will provide Warrington Wolves with a timely boost as they prepare to test Leeds Rhinos' undefeated home record tomorrow, Friday.

All three have played important roles in Wolves' start to the season and they were missed when Wolves fell to their second home defeat of the year against Huddersfield Giants on Sunday.

It was a defeat that head coach Paul Cullen has been able to take positives from. He reports a good week in training and is further buoyed by the good news that all remaining injured players - Chris Leikvoll, Graham Appo, John Wilshere and Ben Westwood - are expected to be back on board in time for Wolves' home clash against Challenge Cup finalists St Helens on May 22.

Centre Westwood, who scored two tries in a dazzling performance the last time Wolves played at Headingley, is the only casualty from the Giants defeat. He was concussed and swallowed his tongue after an accidental clash of heads with a Huddersfield defender - see story on page 73.

It is the availability of stalwart loose forward Forshaw against one of his former clubs that is key to Wolves' bid to defeat a top four club for the first time under Cullen's reign.

Cullen said about his off season signing from Bradford Bulls: "He's a vital cog in the wheel. His experience around the ruck, not only in the work he does individually but in the work he pushes other players to do, was missed, certainly in the dying stages of the game against Huddersfield.

"He is very experienced, technically as good a player as I've seen and I'm delighted that he is back available for this game against the Rhinos."

Forshaw missed the Huddersfield clash because of a thigh injury.

The match kicks off at Headingley at 8pm and Wolves' squad for the game is: Daryl Cardiss, Brent Grose, Lee Briers, Nathan Wood, Mark Hilton, Jon Clarke, Paul Wood, Darren Burns, Ian Sibbit, Mike Forshaw, Mark Gleeson, Jerome Guisset, Paul Noone, Dean Gaskell, Warren Stevens, Mike Wainwright, Gary Hulse, Richard Varkulis and Danny Lima, whose availability depends on the outcome of two 'alleged high tackle' disciplinary hearings at the Rugby Football League headquarters last night, Wednesday.

Wolves' clash with top of the table Leeds will be their seventh outing in 29 days, which is almost a game every four days for a month's period, and to go into the last game of that run still in the top six and with only four narrow Super League defeats to their name is something Cullen is encouraged by.

He said: "Of the four games that we have lost, all have been competitive and all have been only by one score or thereabouts.

"So we have to utilise the statistic to re-build our confidence and self esteem and not allow ourselves to become the victims of expectation and disappointment.

"Although we're very disappointed we didn't win against Huddersfield, we didn't play to the best of our ability because we succumbed to the fatigue. It's not an excuse, it's a simple observation of fact.

"We are very confident in our shape and our structures and they will take us forward.

"Our aim is to be competitive in every game we play and we've achieved that all the way through. There have been no drubbings. At this point last year we were on the back of some losses that could be argued as having been embarrassing.

"So we are an improved side. It may not be reflected in the league table at the moment but we are confident of the work we are doing, we're confident in the structures and that is important."

Rhinos v Wolves preview

Last meeting: Leeds Rhinos 34 Warrington Wolves 26, August 29, 2003. Wolves' tries were scored by Ben Westwood, two, Sid Domic, Graham Appo and Nathan Wood. Appo knocked over three goals. Away results against Rhinos in Super League (Wolves first): 1996, 18-22; 1997, 12-50; 1998, 8-30; 1999, 30-34; 2000, 24-28; 2001, 24-24 and 12-16; 2002, 23-22; 2003, 20-30 and 26-34. Rhinos squad: Gary Connolly, Francis Cummins, Chris McKenna, Keith Senior, Chev Walker, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Ryan Bailey, Matt Diskin, Barrie McDermott, David Furner, Matt Adamson, Kevin Sinfield, Andrew Dunemann, Chris Feather, Willie Poching, Wayne McDonald, Mark Calderwood, Danny Ward, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Richard Mathers, Marcus Bai, Dwayne Barker, Nick Scruton, Jason Netherton, Tommy Gallagher, Matt Gardner, Liam Botham. Danger man: Stand off Danny McGuire is the top try scorer in Super League with 13 touch downs. Form guide - Rhinos' last five home games (including last season): Beat Huddersfield, 38-6; beat Bradford, 26-18; beat Wigan, 36-24; lost to Wigan, 23-22;