Briers struggling for Wolves

Smith: Likely to be without Briers for St Helens game

We'd love to have Lee there - he's a quality player and he'd add strength to our team - but I'm glad we're past all that 'you can't win without Lee Briers' talk

Tony Smith
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Warrington coach Tony Smith admits he is once again likely to be without skipper Lee Briers for Friday's trip to St Helens.

The inspirational stand-off has missed the last three matches after damaging his ankle in the home loss to Wigan last month.

Although Smith has yet to rule Briers out, he expects the former Saint to miss out on facing his old employers, who he left in 1996, at Knowsley Road.

However the Wolves boss is confident his side can still flourish having won three on the bounce without their talismanic captain.

Drastic improvement

"I haven't ruled him out but he'd have to improve drastically between now and Friday," said Smith.

"We'd love to have Lee there - he's a quality player and he'd add strength to our team - but I'm glad we're past all that 'you can't win without Lee Briers' talk.

"It's no good for the team and we're far from that. That's long gone. I think we've got a lot of quality players and a lot of depth this year.

"When we do get an injury or two we can quite adequately replace them."

Although Briers may not be on the field for Warrington, Smith will still lean on the experienced half-back for his opinion during the 80 minutes.

"It's useful having a player of his calibre, telling me his thoughts and the way that he reads the game," said Smith. "He gives me a bit of an insight into how he thinks."

After being 18th man for Saturday's win over Bradford at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, full-back Richard Mathers could be recalled to the starting line-up.

Boosted Saints

Meanwhile, opponents St Helens could welcome back a trio of internationals for the derby clash.

Full-back Paul Wellens will certainly return while centres Matt Gidley and Si Soliola are nearing a return to action, much to the delight of coach Mick Potter.

"We're looking a little bit better," he said. "Paul Wellens is a definite and we'll see how Matt Gidley and Si Soliola progress."

Tony Puleta, who was a late withdrawal from last Friday's 37-30 win over Crusaders due to a back spasm, will be available.