Warrington Wolves boss on Wakefield Trinity trip

MT: A quick injury update – has everyone come through the Wigan game okay?

SP: There’s a few bumps and bruises from Friday – as is to be expected from a physical game – but we’re in pretty good shape.

We had a light day on Sunday and a good run on Monday so we’re all pretty good.

Blake Austin went off with a head knock against Wigan but was able to return. Picture by Mike Boden

MT: No chance of Bryson Goodwin being fit for Wakefield?

SP: No, unfortunately not. He’s still a little while away from coming back so our back line will remain the same.

MT: A few fans have picked out Lama Tasi playing some low minutes. Are you happy with what he and the rest of the guys are contributing at the moment?

SP: I’m pleased with how the squad is coming together. We’re doing some good things are we’re continuing to grow as a group.

We’ve got some big boppers who can play long minutes in the middle third and that’s why minutes are down for some players. That’s an area I need to address.

MT: By the same token, plenty of fans are asking about the likes of Sitaleki Akauola and Harvey Livett – can they, among others, do more to force their way into your plans?

SP: We’ve got a number of players pushing for that 17 including those two. Danny Walker and Tom Lineham are also.

There’s a lot of good players who are doing everything they can to crack our 17, but the boys in there are doing some really good things.

If they have a slip-up, they are on notice that people want to fill their boots up. Everyone is accountable.

MT: A great win on Friday and everyone must be on a high, not just for beating Wigan but for the way you’ve started the season as a whole?

SP: Yeah it’s really positive – not just around the team but around the club as a whole.

There’s a lot of gratitude and empathy around the whole organisation in terms of creating events and making sure supporters come away from the Halliwell Jones Stadium in a good place to make sure they are coming back and attract more people.

We have a duty to attract more people to our great game and the club is doing some wonderful things there.

Price has hailed the marketing and fan experience around Wire games this season. Picture by Mike Boden

MT: A bit of a shorter turnaround this week so has there been more emphasis on recovery and keeping players fresh?

SP: There’s been a fair bit of that, especially on Sunday. We had a review and turned the legs over before another session on Monday.

It wasn’t full intensity because we want to make sure we’re at peak performance for Thursday.

We’re expecting another tough game but we’ve got a good record over at Wakefield. They have some big boys through the middle that we’ll have to defend with a good, hard-nosed performance.

MT: Wakefield have been developing over a few years to get to where they are now. Do you consider them a rival for the higher reaches of the league and possibly silverware?

SP: There’s a number of quality teams who can vie for silverware. St Helens are doing some really good things and are undefeated.

We expect the unexpected from anybody. We’re always well prepared and we will be for Thursday.

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MT: We never like seeing anyone go down with an injury like Tom Johnstone’s, but does him being missing make Wakefield any less dangerous?

SP: No you’re right – you never like seeing anyone get injured, especially with an ACL. They are horrendous injuries to be honest.

I wish him a speedy recovery, but everyone is replaceable, aren’t they? Whoever they bring in, we’ll be ready for them.

Star winger Tom Johnstone will miss the remainder of the season for Wakefield with an ACL injury. Picture by Richard Sellars/PA Wire