AS of now, we stand on the brink of what has become known as “the business end” of the season.

The destination of two of the three trophies on offer will become much clearer in the weeks to come and Warrington Wolves will still consider themselves in contention for the League Leaders’ Shield and the overall Super League title.

In order to keep things that way, however, they must wipe the slate clean.

Sunday’s trip to Wakefield Trinity sits within a strange month or so for Daryl Powell’s side – they go from a two-week break to two games in five days before another fortnight off.

How well timed the next gap between fixtures will depend entirely on what happens in the two fixtures before then against sides at completely different ends of the table – leaders Catalans Dragons visit The Halliwell Jones Stadium a week on Friday after Powell’s men travel to cellar-dwelling Trinity.

However, there is no doubt the break they are now coming to the end of gives them an opportunity they must grasp.

Results – and performances for the most part – have not been acceptable for a while. Everybody knows that, both on the inside and outside of the club.

While sweeping the current run of five consecutive defeats – seven out of eight in wider context – completely under the carpet would be unwise, they are at a point where a line can naturally be drawn under what has gone before.

They must no doubt learn from what has happened, but nobody can change it. Moving on is imperative.

Barring a couple of exceptions and any fresh concerns emerging this week, Powell’s squad will be almost up to full availability for Sunday’s trip to West Yorkshire.

George Williams’ return from a hamstring injury will be key as will that of Matty Nicholson, while there is also hope Matty Ashton and Josh Thewlis will be able to return – the former is considered more likely.

Following that, reinforcements will be available in the shape of Jordan Crowther – the new temporary signing ineligible to face Wakefield – while attempts to secure a return on loan for Thomas Mikaele ahead of the August 4 deadline are continuing.

All things considered, Warrington have the opportunity to start afresh and consider the next two months or so to be a “mini-season” of no more than 11 games – the eight remaining regular-season matches plus a maximum of three play-off rounds.

There are 16 league points still to play for and in order to get back into the upper placings, you feel they will need most of them.

As we know, however, having such a chance put before them and taking it are two very different things.

To get the ball rolling, they must beat a Wakefield side enjoying somewhat of a revival at a ground upon which they have struggled in recent years.

They will play with the kind of desperation that comes with their perilous league position and it is pivotal Wire turn up with that very same attitude.

If not, they could easily find themselves going the same way as Wigan, Salford and Leeds who have all perished at Belle Vue in recent weeks.

A “must-win” game? Put it this way – another defeat, which would cement this as their worst losing run since 2002, is unthinkable.