DECLAN Patton and Harvey Livett have been challenged to “show their worth” as part of Warrington Wolves’ creative spine when they travel to Wigan Warriors tomorrow, Friday, kick off 7.45pm.

The Warrington-born pair will start in the halves at the DW Stadium having played much of their rugby this season at hooker and second row respectively.

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Tyrone Roberts is rested and while Kevin Brown is included in The Wire’s 19-man squad, Price confirmed he would sit out the game with an abductor muscle injury.

Patton and Livett have played together as a half-back pairing before in a 40-18 win over St Helens in May last year, but not since.

However, Price has backed the pairing to make the most of their big chance.

“We’ve got a couple of players with niggles so they won’t play this week,” he said.

“Kev Brown just needs a week off. It’s not a serious injury he has.

“I’m happy to give Declan and Harvey an opportunity in the halves. It is a chance for them to show their worth in that role.

“They have both played there plenty of times over the years so it is nothing new to them.”

 

Harvey Livett takes Wire forward from the second-row position against Huddersfield Giants last week. Picture: Mike Boden

 

Dec Patton eyes up his next opportunity. Picture by Mike Boden

It will be a much-changed Wire team that faces their neighbours, with Price opting to stand down several players after they secured their Super League semi-final place with a 26-24 win over Huddersfield Giants on Friday.

Chris Hill given more time to shake off an ankle injury and Mike Cooper sits out after being handed a one-match suspension for his yellow card against the Giants.

Ben Westwood and Bodene Thompson are set to come back in, 18-year-old second-rower Luis Johnson will make his senior debut from the bench and prop Pat Moran could make his Super League bow.

“There’s a few opportunities for lads who have been doing a really good job and for Luis Johnson to make his senior debut,” Price said.

“He will come onto the bench. It’s a real opportunity for him.

“He’s played some really good, consistent football of late for our academy team.

“We’ve still got three games to go until the semi-finals start, but our main focus is Wigan.

“It is an opportunity for a lot of players to shine on a big stage. I’ve got the utmost confidence in them.

“It doesn’t matter who we bring in. Whoever pulls on that Warrington jersey, the expectation of them is to compete hard.”

Tomorrow will see The Wire take on Wigan for the fifth time in 2018, with both sides having won two games each.

Their last meeting saw the Warriors snatch a 13-12 victory at the DW Stadium in July thanks to a last-minute drop goal from Josh Woods.

Price insists his team have come a long way since then and that they need to show signs of getting into a “finals football” mindset.

“It’s important that we’re putting strong performances together and grow the belief and confidence in each other,” he said.

“We have to sustain pressure for long periods, because that’s what finals football is all about.

“Every time we cross that line, it’s about going as hard as we can.

“They are a really good football team, but so are we.

“We’ve come a long way from when we last went to Wigan.

“It seems like a very long time ago. We’ve shown a lot of improvement since then.

“They have been playing some really good football of late. Its two high-quality teams going at it so hopefully we can put on a good show for the spectators.”

* Wolves squad: Ryan Atkins, Kevin Brown, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Bryson Goodwin, Jack Hughes, Luis Johnson, George King, Toby King, Tom Lineham, Harvey Livett, Pat Moran, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Ben Pomeroy, Stefan Ratchford, Morgan Smith, Bodene Thompson, Ben Westwood.