ANDY Roberts believes the return of skipper Josh Downes will boost his ailing Warrington side.

They remain winless in North One West following Saturday’s 47-22 defeat at Wilmslow – their seventh loss in as many games.

However, Roberts remains positive about the chances of his young side.

“We lost with spirit,” he said.

“However, this team is growing with every game and with skipper Josh Downes now back in harness, things can only get better.”

Warrington trailed 21-10 at the break, with an excellent Max Caldwell try and a Darren Norman penalty providing their points.

After the break, Jack Morgan finished off a move involving Jonny Evans and Ollie Hudson to take the visitors to within four points, but Wilmslow used their power to stretch out again.

Roma Zheng – making his senior debut the day after his 18th birthday – scored a glorious try in the later stages, but it was too late to mount a comeback.

Warrington travel to Bowdon on Saturday.