AS he prepares to take his Warrington Wolves side to Salford Red Devils tonight, Steve Price is expecting “a dogfight” at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Tonight’s hosts have won just one of their seven Super League games under new head coach Richard Marshall but have been showing signs of improvement of late.

Their last outing saw them just edged out by league leaders Wigan, with the unbeaten Warriors needing a late Jackson Hastings drop goal to seal a 17-16 win.

One point was also the difference in their Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with Castleford Tigers, with Gareth O’Brien’s golden-point field goal proving the difference.

When The Wire’s poor recent record against the Red Devils is added to the equation – aside from the Super League contest Salford forfeited last October, they have lost their last five meetings against tonight’s opposition – a tricky test is sure to be in store.

Warrington have lost their last five meetings with Salford, including last years Challenge Cup semi final. Picture by Mike Boden

Warrington have lost their last five meetings with Salford, including last year's Challenge Cup semi final. Picture by Mike Boden

Having returned to winning ways against Castleford last time out, Price has called upon his side to “keep rising” this evening as they aim to keep pace at the top of the table.

“They’re a big threat. The scoreline even against St Helens (28-0) wasn’t a reflection of how tight the game was and they were just pipped by Wigan last week,” he said.

“They have been in the majority of their games and have a lot of quality players.

“All games with Salford are dogfights so we’re expecting a tough game.

“They’ve got a lot of good football players and they got a couple back in Joe Burgess and Lee Mossop, who will stiffen them up.

“We certainly won’t be underestimating them and we have to keep rising.

“It was a really good response by the boys and I was very proud of the performance.

The Wire got back to winning ways against Castleford last time out. Picture by Mike Boden

The Wire got back to winning ways against Castleford last time out. Picture by Mike Boden

“Thursday poses different challenges – it’s a local derby and a big game so we’re going to have to be at our best.

“Pre-Huddersfield, we were finding some really good momentum. We had a hiccup in that first half but got our house in order in the second half and played some reasonable footy on Saturday.

“The boys are in a good place and they are only going to keep improving now.”