FOR the next few weeks at least, Adam Holroyd looks set to get another chance to shine in the Warrington Wolves back row.

Looking further ahead, however, it could also be seen an opportunity for him to show Sam Burgess that, should he require a replacement for the seemingly departing Matty Nicholson, he needn’t look far.

The 20-year-old academy graduate has made a sustained first-team breakthrough this year, featuring in 10 of The Wire’s 17 games in all competitions to earn a new three-year contract with the club.

A back injury suffered by Lachlan Fitzgibbon means he will step in against Salford Red Devils tomorrow having also done so while Nicholson recovered from a hernia operation earlier in the year.

Nicholson is expected to leave the club at the end of the season to move to the NRL, with Canberra Raiders said to be leading the chase for his signature although Burgess insists he has “not given up” on the idea of him staying at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Should he leave, however, Burgess backed Holroyd’s ability to step in although he also hinted at the possibility of dipping into the recruitment market in order to bring in extra support in the edge forward position.

Adam Holroyd penned a new three-year deal to remain with Warrington Wolves earlier this yearAdam Holroyd penned a new three-year deal to remain with Warrington Wolves earlier this year (Image: Mike Boden)

Could Adam Holroyd be Matty Nicholson's long-term replacement at Warrington Wolves?

Huddersfield Giants skipper Luke Yates, whose signing for 2025 was confirmed last month, was expected to be Warrington’s only piece of recruitment business but Nicholson’s likely departure could change those plans.

“I see him as a Super League player,” Burgess said of Holroyd.

“With the way he plays, he doesn’t hold back – sometimes, you have to pull him back.

“I’m thinking of him as a long-term player and we’ve got to be really careful we don’t over-use him.

“With Nicko maybe going, that would mean he obviously sees more time in there.”

When asked whether Holroyd is being seen as Nicholson’s replacement, the Wire boss added: “You could look at it that way, but we could also look to bring someone in.

“Nicko’s still not told us he’s going yet. I’ve not given up on that one but if he does move on, Adz will fit right in.

“It is a long year, though, so we may look to bring someone in but it’s got to be someone with a little bit of quality.”