DESPITE the lack of preparation time, Steve Price is relieved Warrington Wolves had only two days to prepare for the clash with Castleford Tigers tonight, Thursday, kick off 7.45pm.

The unbeaten Tigers visit The Halliwell Jones Stadium just five days after The Wire fell to their first Super League defeat of the season away at Catalans Dragons.

Price’s squad have only had a light training session on Monday and their captain’s run yesterday, Wednesday, in preparation for the game.

However, the Wire head coach is counting the quick chance to bounce back from the 23-22 loss in Perpignan as a blessing.

He also believes he will learn a lot more about the character within his dressing room this week as they react to adversity for the first time in 2019.

“We all agree that there’s no better formula than a short turnaround after a performance like that,” he said.

“The boys are excited to get out there again.

“It’s going to be a good challenge for us against a quality team that have been a top-two or three Super League club for a number of years.

“It will be good to see where we’re at in comparison to them early on in the season. We’re looking forward to it.”

Warrington Guardian:

The Wire players leave the field following their 23-22 defeat at Catalans. Picture by Mike Boden

Daryl Clark has been passed fit to face his former club after picking up a calf injury at the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday.

With no new injuries sustained, Price is able to name an unchanged 19-man squad for Thursday's game, although there is scope for changes to the matchday 17 with Ben Westwood and Danny Walker challenging for places.

The Tigers have won all four of their Super League games, but Price says it would be too early in the season to have "made a statement" should The Wire emerge victorious.

He picked out hooker Paul McShane and half-back Jake Trueman as players his side will have to keep quiet if they are to inflict a first defeat of 2019 upon Daryl Powell's men.

"Cas have a lot more variables in terms of their attacking structure," he said.

"They have a really good number nine in Paul McShane and an exciting six in Jake Trueman.

"You could call them a tradesmen-like pack who work extremely hard for each other and some exciting outside backs.

"We’re going to have to be ready to combat all of that.

"We can’t really think of it as sending a statement out. It’s only round five.

"It’s still early days and it’s a long season. We try and go out and win every game but its too early in the season to talk about putting one on supposed rivals.

"We don’t accept second-best here and it’s no different on Thursday night.

"We’re playing a quality team but we always go out to get the W whoever we’re playing."