Wolves v Rhinos: Teams
Warrington second rower Ben Westwood is set to make a return from injury in Friday night's play-off clash against Leeds.
Last Updated: 29/09/11 2:55pm
Warrington second rower Ben Westwood is set to make a return from injury in Friday night's Super League play-off semi-final against Leeds.
Westwood has been out of action for the last six weeks with a knee injury but has been named in coach Tony Smith's 19-man squad ahead of the clash at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Captain Adrian Morley says that the title favourites have been given a timely boost with the news that the 30-year-old is back in contention for selection.
"He's been absolutely fantastic. We certainly have missed him when he's not been playing. It will give everyone a boost now he's back in the mix," he said
Westwood's availability is also a boost for England ahead of the Four Nations Series, while Rhinos coach Brian McDermott admits strengthen the Warrington pack.
McDermott said: "He's been very strong for the majority of the season. They will have a strong pack."
Full strength
Prop Paul Wood is now Warrington's only injury absentee but Leeds will also be virtually at full strength with the return of second rower turned centre Carl Ablett.
Ablett has been absent from the Rhinos' last two games with a head injury but has been included in McDermott's 19-man squad.
"When you are talking about heads, you can't take any risks but Carl will be there or thereabouts," he said.
McDermott looks certain to retain teenager Zak Hardaker at centre following his hat-trick against Huddersfield in the last round of the play-offs, with Brett Delaney set to switch from the threequarters to the pack to accommodate the return of Ablett.
McDermott added: "We haven't quite finalised the team. We've got some options there."
Centre Kallum Watkins will not be able to play for Leeds, however, as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Warrington squad: Anderson, Atkins, Blythe, Bridge, Briers, Carvell, Clarke, Cooper, Grix, Harrison, Hodgson, King, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Morley, Myler, Riley, Solomona, Westwood
Leeds squad: Webb, Delaney, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Kirke, Hauraki, Clarkson, Pitts, Jones-Bishop, Hardaker