HERE'S some background to the Warrington Wolves 18-man squad announced for the St Helens fixture at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday.

1. Riley Dean

Named in Steve Price's match-day squad for the first time, and would be making his Super League debut if selected.

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A bright future is anticipated for the Academy stand-off, who is a potential replacement for Blake Austin or Dec Patton against Saints.

Dean, who turns 18 on Saturday, can also play full-back.

The six-footer played his junior rugby at Siddal, Halifax, and is also a competent goal-kicker.

Warrington Guardian:

2. Josh Thewlis

Another of The Wire's highly rated teenagers, who made his Super League debut at full-back against Catalans Dragons on June 8 this year.

Fans were impressed with what he offered on his maiden appearance against tough opponents, getting the call due to Stefan Ratchford's injury and Jake Mamo's unavailability.

The 17-year-old came through the ranks at Wateread Warriors.

Warrington Guardian:

3. Luther Burrell

High-profile signing from rugby union, who has played just one game off the bench in primrose and blue so far.

An England international in the 15-man game, Burrell, a centre or winger signed from Northampton, was given 20 minutes on the field in the win against London Broncos on July 6.

A couple of big hits and strong drives gave a glimpse of what this man-mountain is capable of but he is on a learning curve having not played rugby league since his university days about 10 years ago.

Selection on Thursday would be his first at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington Guardian:

4. Louis Johnson

Showed good form on his recent loan spell with Hull KR under former Wire boss Tony Smith.

Ex-England Academy international Johnson, a second rower or prop, arrived at Warrington from Castleford for a fee at the end of 2017.

Gave a good account of himself on his only previous Super League outing, off the bench in a loss at Wigan 11 months ago.

Warrington Guardian:

5. Pat Moran

Ashton-based prop who made his Super League debut for The Wire in the home loss to Salford last month as a replacement for Mike Cooper, who suffered an injury in the warm-up.

The 21-year-old hit into good form recently while on loan at Sheffield Eagles.

Warrington Guardian:

Wolves 18-man squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Luther Burrell, Ben Currie, Matt Davis, Riley Dean, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Luis Johnson, Toby King, Harvey Livett, Jake Mamo, Pat Moran, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Stefan Ratchford, Lama Tasi, Josh Thewlis, Danny Walker, Ben Westwood

The team could look something like this on Thursday:

1. Ratchford/Thewlis/Mamo

2. Mamo/Burrell/Thewlis/

3. King/Burrell

4. Goodwin

5. Burrell/Thewlis

6. Ratchford/Dean/Livett

7. Smith/Dean

8. Hill

9. Walker

10. Tasi/Westwood/Moran/Akauola

11. Murdoch-Masila/Livett/Westwood/Johnson/King

12. Currie

13. Davis/Livett/Wetwood/Murdoch-Masila/Tasi/Akauola