Smith: Only two unavailable for Hull selection (From This Is Cheshire)

Warrington Wolves almost full strength for season opener at Hull FC

10:13am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Sport By Christopher Terris Taylor

WOLVES boss Tony Smith is hopeful that only Brett Hodgson and David Solomona will be unavailable for selection as he plans for Warrington’s Super League opener against Hull FC on Sunday, kick off 3pm.

Despite losing Adrian Morley (concussion) and Matty Blythe (ankle twist) during the club’s pre-season friendly defeat of South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday, recovery looks to have gone well.

And the news is good on Michael and Joel Monaghan, who missed out against Souths with knee niggles, and Richie Myler, who made a surprise return off the bench.

“Matty Blythe was the only one who was a doubt after the game but he is now actually pretty good too, far better than we expected after the game,” he said.

“Moz was fine later that day, so we should have the full lot provid- ing the Monaghan brothers are fit, which we expect them to be.

“Richie Myler came through his time fine and he’ll be available for selection as well.”

It is a possibility Myler will not start against the Black and Whites, despite his rapid recovery from a dislocated elbow suffered against Widnes on Boxing Day.

Smith may lean to continuing with the combination of Stefan Ratchford and Lee Briers in the halves after praising their performance against Souths.

But there is the option to start with Myler at scrum half and switch Ratchford to full back by moving Chris Riley to the wing.

After three weeks of intense training in the Australian heat, Wolves’ players touched down at Manchester Airport on Monday and were given the chance to spend Tuesday reuniting with their loved ones during a well-deserved break.

They trained yesterday, Wednesday, and are back in today and Saturday to ensure they are in peak form for their first competitive run-out since the play-offs loss to Leeds in September.

Smith said: “The players have taken the right precautions against jetlag. They are raring to go.

“Everyone in the group is excited. When you’ve been preparing for so long it is good to finally be able to go out and perform.

“Now the fun starts.”