Predicted Warrington Wolves team to face Salford Red Devils

DARYL Powell has said the Warrington Wolves team that faces Salford Red Devils tomorrow will not be too different to the one that faced Hull FC.

But just how different will it be?

With three potential debutants named in the 21-man squad yesterday and Riley Dean back in the fold, there is potential for a fair bit of chopping and changing.

> Click here to check out the 21-man squads named by both sides yesterday

Our Warrington Wolves reporter Matt Turner goes through the options and picks his team here…

SIX different half-back pairings have been used by Daryl Powell this year and there could be more switches in that department afoot.

Riley Dean’s presence in the squad having been recalled from his loan at Newcastle Thunder suggests a couple of things.

Warrington Guardian:

Riley Dean is back in contention after being recalled from a loan spell at Newcastle Thunder. Picture by Mike Boden

Either Powell wants to have another look at him alongside George Williams or, perhaps more worryingly, there are injury doubts among the creative players.

Peter Mata’utia played at stand-off last week and helped organise the right edge defensively and while Greg Minikin is in the squad, I think Matty Ashton’s injury will mean he returns to the centres.

That would mean Connor Wrench moving out to the right wing, with Josh Thewlis moving over to fill the void left by Ashton on the left outside of Jake Wardle, who should make his debut at left centre.

Earlier this week, Powell has backed Stefan Ratchford to be his number six going forward, so I’d imagine that means he gets the nod to start alongside Williams in this one.

Warrington Guardian:

Having switched to the centres last week, could Stefan Ratchford return to the halves? Picture by Mike Boden

The other big question is who takes the open spot on the bench left vacant by Joe Philbin’s season-ending knee injury.

Another potential debutant in Matty Nicholson could be an option to provide a loose forward/second row option, with Thomas Mikaele and James Harrison the likely interchange props.

However, I’d say it’s more likely to go to either Joe Bullock or Jason Clark and I think the former will get the nod.