Super League preview: Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Wildcats
Castleford Tigers travel to face Wakefield Wildcats with local pride at stake as the Super League draws to a close.
Last Updated: 07/09/13 11:20am
Hosts Wakefield are currently 12th, one point adrift of Sunday's visitors, following a 40-0 thumping as Huddersfield Giants secured the League Leaders Shield on Sunday.
Following the defeat, Wildcats head coach Richard Agar has made four changes to the squad as they seek a vengeance after the Tigers prevailed 49-24 earlier in the season.
A visit to the specialist on Monday revealed Kyle Amor is available for a recall after a hairline fracture on his hand but Taulima Tautai is not in contention after breaking his hand.
Homegrown trio Kyle Trout, Lucas Walshaw and Matty Wildie all come into Agar's 19-man squad in place of Reece Lyne, Chris Annakin and the departed Tim Smith.
"Effort and commitment are very important this week," said Agar. "Being able to play with a lot of energy and tempo is important."
Challenge
Meanwhile, Tigers head coach Daryl Powell has named three changes to the side which beat Salford City Reds 44-30 last time out.
Injuries have forced the hand of Powell with Justin Carney, Michael Senton and Grant Millington all ruled out.
Richard Owen is recalled to the travelling party while Ben Johnston takes his place in the squad for the first time this season.
Young back-row Ryan Backhouse features in Powell's squad for the first time and could make his Super League debut should he be selected.
The Tigers have lost four of their previous five encounters with the Wildcats but recent form provides them with the necessary momentum to buck that trend.
"We're on a three game winning run at the moment and we want to extend that to four," Powell said. "We're looking forward to it and it should be a good challenge for us."
Wakefield Wildcats: Mathers, Fox, Collis, Smith, Cockayne, Poore, Aiton, Raleigh, Lauitiiti, Kirmond, Washbrook, Amor, Wilkes, Mariano, Trout, Wildie, Walshaw, Goulding, Kay.
Castleford Tigers: Owen, Dixon, Chase, Ellis, Clark, Huby, Hauraki, Milner, Massey, Thompson, Tansey, Johnston, Fleming, Clare, Martin, Boyle, Channing, Reynolds, Backhouse.
