SITALEKI Akauola’s chance in the Warrington Wolves first team will come if he continues to impress in training, head coach Steve Price says.

The Tongan international powerhouse has found himself down the pecking order in what is his fourth season at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

New signings Robbie Mulhern and Rob Butler have been preferred in support of established prop forwards Chris Hill, Mike Cooper and Joe Philbin thus far.

Akauola was serving the last game of a three-match ban incurred last season in the opening-day defeat to Castleford Tigers but has not been selected for the three games he has been available for, despite being named in the 21-man squad for Sunday's Challenge Cup win at Swinton Lions.

“The guys in front of him are just doing a really good job at the moment,” Price said when asked about Akauola.

“The big thing for Sita is he’s got to keep working hard and when that opportunity arises, he’s got to grab it and not let go of it.

“I’ve been really pleased with his performance around training. He’s certainly not that far away.”