BOTH Josh Thewlis and Danny Walker are expected to return to the Warrington Wolves side after their upcoming two-week break.
Full-back Thewlis and hooker Walker are both ruled out of tomorrow’s clash with St Helens, with the former’s absence offset by the return of Gareth Widdop from a glute issue.
Youngster Thewlis, who has started the past seven games at full-back, limped out of Saturday’s defeat to Catalans Dragons during the second half with a knee problem.
Josh Thewlis started against Catalans on Saturday but limped off during the second half. Picture by SWPix.com
Walker, who has been ever-present for The Wire this season, was not named in the 21-man squad for tomorrow’s game and at his pre-match press conference, head coach Daryl Powell confirmed he had a foot injury.
> Click here to read everything Daryl Powell said in his pre-match press conference
However, Powell is hopeful both will be able to return either when his side hosts Leeds Rhinos on June 3 or for the following week’s trip to Wakefield Trinity.
On Thewlis, he said: “He’s got a little bit of an issue with his knee but it’s nothing serious.
“He obviously misses this week but it’s not too bad. He’ll be back for either the Leeds or the Wakefield game.
“Josh has done a great job for us at full-back and is a really exciting young player.
“Gaz has trained really well so it’s good to have him back for what is a really exciting game for us.”
On Walker, Powell said: “He’s got a Lisfranc injury in his foot but it’s a one-to-two week injury.
“He’s in a boot at the moment but that’s also nothing serious.
“He should have a similar time frame to Josh with him being okay.”
Danny Walker will miss his first game of the season with a foot problem. Picture by SWPix.com
Powell also addressed the inclusion of 19-year-old prop Luke Thomas in his squad for the first time.
The former Latchford Giants junior has been a regular for the club’s reserve team this season but is yet to play a competitive first-team match.
He is not expected to make the final 17, however, with Powell saying he was keen for him to experience being in and around the first-team squad on a matchday.
“It’s giving him a look at it and to keep people talking about our young players,” he said.
“We’ve got some really good young players and it’s about giving them opportunities in the first team and helping them to grow their games.
“Fans love to see the young players involved and players who have come through the system deserve to get a bit of a feel for it and a look at it, whether they get on the field or not.
“Getting a feel for it is just as important when they’re as young as Luke is.”
Luke Thomas during this morning's team run training session. Picture by Warrington Wolves
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