WARRINGTON Wolves will “rise to the challenge” against Hull FC tomorrow, Friday, despite enforced self-isolations decimating their squad.

Six Wire players must now stand down for 14 days after a member of the Wakefield Trinity team that faced them on Sunday returned a positive Covid-19 test.

The six affected will also miss next Thursday’s game against Castleford Tigers, thereby stretching Steve Price’s squad to its limits.

> Wire forward pack decimated by self-isolations

All of the club’s players and coaches tested negative on Tuesday but have since undergone another round of testing, with results expected later on today.

Chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick confirmed the self-isolations started from Sunday, so the players affected will be able to rejoin the squad in time for the Challenge Cup quarter final against St Helens on September 19.

“We got a call late on Tuesday night to say a Wakefield player that played in our match had tested positive and The RFL were conducting a track and trace process to determine if any of our players came in close contact,” he said.

“On the first review they thought it was four players that needed to stand down, but a second review increased it to six.

> SIX Warrington Wolves players stood down after positive Wakefield test

“I’ve spoken to all the players and as you’d expect, they are all disappointed that they now need to stand down for 14 days.

“However, they understand these are challenging times and they accept what they need to do.

“I spoke with Steve and although we will go in to the game depleted, we wanted to continue as we understand the challenge we are facing and the importance of working with our broadcaster.”

The onus will now been on players who have been on the fringes to step up against the Black and Whites.

However, Fitzpatrick says the players have responded positively to all the challenges the coronavirus pandemic has put in front of them and believes they will do the same again.

“This now presents opportunities for players that may have not got a run,” he said.

“We’ve got a big squad and our depth is now going to get challenged, but I’m really excited to see us rise to that challenge.

“The players and coaches are fully aware that we need a ‘whatever it takes’ mentality.

“They’ve responds positively, as they have since lockdown started.”

“More importantly, we hope the Wakefield players who have tested positive return to good health.”