Wakefield coach Chris Chester has admitted that a move for Morgan Escaré is unlikely, before warning Danny Brough he will have to fight for his place back in the team as he nears a return to full fitness.
The French international made a big impact during his loan spell with Trinity in the latter weeks of last season, ultimately helping the club secure Super League survival.
Escaré has been linked with another move to Wakefield on loan after finding opportunities hard to come by at Wigan, but Chester told League Express: “I wouldn’t have thought so at this stage.
“We’re not in the market; budget-wise we’re up to what we said we would spend. The board backed me to bring in Romain Navarrete and that may have actually put us a shade over the budget we set.
“Morgan was absolutely fantastic for us, he’s a great kid and he was one of the reasons why we got out of trouble. But at the moment, I’d say it’s unlikely.”
Chester will receive a huge fitness boost in time for Friday’s Challenge Cup clash with Bradford, with the news that Brough is set to come back into contention.
He injured his knee on the opening weekend of the season. But despite his reputation, Chester has warned him he will not find it easy to simply walk back into the side.
“Broughy has a job on trying to get Max Jowitt out of the shirt at the moment,” he said.
“I copped a fair bit recently for playing Max in the halves; I even had a couple of my mates asking what the hell I was doing playing him there!
“It’s obviously a boost to get Broughy back, but competition for places means you’ve got to earn your place in this team.”
Chester also expects David Fifita to make his first appearance of the season on Friday too, while he explained that Brough was so keen to play ahead of schedule that he had to refuse his request to play in the reserves last weekend.
“It’s a big boost that they’re both back,” Chester said of Brough and Fifita.
“Broughy wanted to get a game under his belt before coming back into the first team, but I’ve had to hold him back a bit. It’s great that he wants to play and he’ll be raring to go this weekend.”
