WOLVES will be facing a fellow wounded animal when they come up against a desperate Leeds Rhinos side at the Halliwell Jones Stadium this evening.

However, while Tony Smith’s men could only be said to be nursing minor bruises after two straight defeats, the Rhinos’ top-eight hopes are on life support.

Brian McDermott’s side have won just three games all season, all of which came at their Headingley home and they are six points behind eighth-placed Widnes.

Every time they have hit the road this season, they have returned to West Yorkshire empty-handed, something you feel has to change on Friday if their hopes of avoiding the Middle Eights are to remain intact.

It is a stark contrast to the all-conquering team that swept the board last season to complete a historic treble.

As well as the retirement of key players Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai, McDermott has had to contend with a crippling injury list which has hindered their title defence.

Skipper Danny McGuire, vice-captain Rob Burrow and England wingers Tom Briscoe and Ryan Hall have all spent time in the treatment room this season.

McGuire and Burrow are back, along with key forward Brett Delaney, but Briscoe, Hall and Joel Moon are still missing.

This means McDermott has had to count on youth to prosper and they have provided some rare optimism for the Rhinos fans.

Jordan Lilley’s emergence has perhaps been the highlight, while the likes of Ashton Golding, Josh Walters and Ash Handley are all starting to mature.

Rhinos 19: Zak Hardaker, Kallum Watkins, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Keith Galloway, Adam Cuthbertson, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Liam Sutcliffe, Brett Delaney, Brad Singleton, Mitch Garbutt, Jimmy Keinhorst, Mitch Achurch, Josh Walters, Ash Handley, Ashton Golding, Jordan Lilley, Brett Ferres, Luke Briscoe.