STEFAN Ratchford’s shoulder injury is not as bad as Warrington Wolves first feared.

However, head coach Daryl Powell has confirmed he will be missing for up to four weeks with the injury he sustained during Saturday’s defeat to Wakefield Trinity.

Ratchford picked up the problem while trying in vain to stop Matty Ashurst from scoring during The Wire’s 38-22 defeat at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Matty Ashton, Josh Thewlis and Peter Mata’utia all spent time at full-back during the remainder of the game and Powell says a decision has not yet been fully made about Ratchford’s replacement for Sunday’s Challenge Cup tie against the same opposition.

Warrington Guardian:

Matty Ashton is one of Daryl Powell's options to replace Stefan Ratchford at full-back. Picture by Mike Boden

“Stef will be between three and four weeks,” he said.

“Initially, we were worried it may be longer term – maybe three or four months.

“He’s got an AC joint injury but it’s not a bad one so hopefully he’ll only be a few weeks.

“It looked like there was something in the back of our shoulder – that’s what our physio was worried about initially.

“He’s had a scan and it’s not as bad as we first thought so that’s positive news.

“It's tough when you lose a full-back in terms of who slots in where.

“Matty Ashton can do it, Josh Thewlis can do it. Gaz Widdop and Pete Mata’utia too.

“We’ve had a look at a couple of options with it today and I’ll make a call later this week.”

Powell also confirmed that loose forward Billy Magoulias is expected to make his Wire debut on Sunday and is likely to start on the bench.

The Greece international was named in last week’s 21-man squad but did not make the final 17 after having surgery on an ankle injury sustained during pre-season training

Warrington Guardian:

Billy Magoulias is set to make his Wire debut on Sunday. Picture by Warrington Wolves

An update was also provided on hooker Daryl Clark, prop Robbie Mulhern and centre Connor Wrench.

“He’ll be in the squad,” Powell said of the former Cronulla Sharks man.

“He was close last week but I expect him to play this week.

“Daryl has trained today and we’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow. Hopefully he will be okay.

“Rob will come back in – he’s had no complications after his head knock so he will come back in.

“Connor isn’t far off – I think he’ll be alright for next week.

“We’ll look at how we come out of Sunday in terms of form.

“He had a stress fracture in his back and he looks okay at the moment.”