Back-up plans made
12:10pm Thursday 15th May 2008
WOLVES have looked into the possibility of bringing in a new signing should they suffer another injury to a three-quarter.
Full back Stuart Reardon (ruptured Achilles' tendon) and centre Paul Johnson (cruciate knee ligaments) will miss the rest of the season and are not expected back in training until early 2009 after sustaining injuries during Saturday's 40-34 defeat at St Helens in the fifth round of the Challenge Cup.
Utility back Chris Bridge was already out for the rest of the season with an identical injury to Reardon, coincidentally also sustained at Knowsley Road three months ago.
As a result, Wolves now have just six recognised three-quarters to call upon in their first-team squad - Chris Hicks, Martin Gleeson, Matt King, Kevin Penny, Chris Riley and the inexperienced Matty Blythe.
Back rowers Vinnie Anderson, Ben Westwood, Simon Grix and Andy Bracek could fill in as makeshift backs but more injuries would cause a headache for Paul Cullen and persuade him to look for replacements.
Wolves are believed to be a small amount of money short of spending up to the maximum salary cap limit for 2008 and, although that money was not enough to bring in another player for the whole of the season, it may allow them to sign someone on a short-term deal.
Cullen said: "Any team that loses a Bridge, a Reardon and a Johnson is going to be a little bit thin on the ground in the backs.
"We spent the remainder of the weekend and the early part of this week going through our books and our cap, looking at what players we could possibly bring in if any situation presents - what we can fit under the cap, if we can fit them under the cap, whether they are short-term loan periods or players that may be available.
"So we've been doing some work behind the scenes but that's all it is at this moment in time. At the minute we're still relatively strong but we can't afford to lose many more three-quarters.
"There certainly isn't anything imminent and we wouldn't want to create any false dawns.
"But when you lose two players of that quality in one game and you've already lost someone like Chris Bridge, then you do have to have a look around.
"In pre-season I thought we were very strong. A Reardon, a Johnson and a Bridge are great assets to any club."
Martin Gleeson (flu) and Rob Parker (rib) are expected to return when Wolves travel to Wigan tomorrow night, Friday, kick-off 7.30pm, after being late withdrawals from the Saints game.
Riley limped off with an ankle ligament injury but has a 'reasonable' chance of being fit after returning to training on Tuesday.
Cullen has hinted that Riley and Hicks will share the full back duties in Reardon's absence, with the duo likely to rotate between the number one spot and the wing depending on the opposition.
Jon Clarke returns to the starting line-up after suspension so Mark Gleeson, who is in line for his 150th Wolves appearance, may have to compete with Grix for a place on the bench. Lee Briers is set to play his 300th club match.
Cullen has assured Reardon and Steve Pickersgill, who is also out for the rest of the season, that their long-term injuries have not automatically ended their hopes of earning new deals with the club.
Both players are out of contract at the end of the season but decisions on deals for 2009 are not likely to be made until later in the year.
Wolves' 19-man squad: Chris Hicks, Matt King, Kevin Penny, Lee Briers, Michael Monaghan, Adrian Morley, Mark Gleeson, Paul Rauhihi, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Vinnie Anderson, Chris Riley, Simon Grix, Andy Bracek, Ben Harrison, Rob Parker, Jon Clarke, Martin Gleeson, Mike Cooper.
* Wolves' under 18s host Harlequins at Wilderspool on Saturday at 2.30pm after losing 22-16 at home to Bradford despite two tries from Alex Thompson.
The reserve team face Wigan at Orrell RUFC on Saturday at 2.30pm.