Wakefield forced to call up more Academy prospects

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ injury problems have deepened ahead of this week’s trip to Wigan – with coach Chris Chester calling up yet more Academy players to plug their squad.

Chester admitted in the aftermath of the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Warrington last week that captain Danny Kirmond put his hand up to play injured, after they were down to their last fit 16 players for that game at Leigh.

And with Kirmond now ruled out again – alongside other first-team players such as Ben Jones-Bishop and Scott Anderson – who was in the 19 last week but missed out – there are more opportunities for the club’s youngsters.

In come the likes of Frazer Morris – who warmed up with the squad on the pitch last Saturday – Liam Senior and Judah Mazive, who was recently away with England Academy.

Wakefield 19-man squad: Arona, Arundel, Crowther, Fifita, Finn, Hall, Jowitt, Lyne, Mazive, Miller, Moore, Morris, Scruton, Senior, Sio, Tupou, B Tupou, Walton, Yates.

Meanwhile, the situation is markedly different for Wigan as they welcome back two big names for the clash.

Josh Charnley and Frank-Paul Nuuausala return from suspension to boost the Warriors, the duo taking the places of youngsters Joe Bretherton and Kyle Shelford in the squad.

Shaun Wane, Wigan coach, said: “Josh has been one of the best wingers in the competition this year. It’s his last year with us so he wants to come back and show what he can do, he wants to leave Wigan on a high.

“We got some good work into Frank last week with him not playing. We’re trying to get him up to speed and hopefully he can keep improving.”