Warrington forward Joe Westerman in fitness battle ahead of Challenge Cup final
Monday 22 August 2016 17:20, UK
Joe Westerman is fighting to overcome an ankle injury to play in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final against Hull, on Saturday.
The loose forward turned his ankle in Wolves' 14-11 Super League win over Castleford on Saturday, and is now a doubt to face his former club at Wembley Stadium.
The 26-year-old has been an ever present since joining from Hull in the close season and Warrington coach Tony Smith is hopeful Westerman will be ready for the final.
"It's not ligament damage which is a relief, it's more of an impact injury," Smith said at the final media day at Doncaster Racecourse. "We're thinking it will settle down.
"He's got tomorrow and Wednesday before we make a decision. If he can run with the team on Thursday, he can play. If not, we'll go with somebody else.
"We've got a few decisions to make if Joe doesn't make it. It has a knock-on effect. Everybody else is fine, they're fit as fiddles and raring to go."
Westerman was in the Hull team that lost to Wigan in the 2013 Challenge Cup final, and will now be looking to make Warrington's final training day on Thursday before they set off to their London base.
Hull have no injury concerns ahead of the clash, with coach Lee Radford able to welcome back captain Gareth Ellis, prop Liam Watts and second rower Sika Manu - who was rested for the 44-0 Super League win over Catalans Dragons.
However, the trio's return meant Radford had to let three players know they would not be in the squad for the final.
"It was the toughest thing I've ever had to do in my life," Radford said. "To try and get it done early was key for us and they took it as well as can be expected.
"It's a horrible part of the job. It's the first time I've had to do it and it's not something I'm ever looking forward to doing again.
"I hope we get an opportunity to play in another final real soon because I want to be able to give them boys the good news next time."
Radford was full of praise for his side's opposition ahead of the final, admitting he is an admirer of the Wolves' style of play.
"There are two very evenly matched sides," Radford told the joint press conference. "Warrington play a very entertaining brand of football and, if I was a neutral, they would be a team I'd put the TV on to watch."
"It should be a good game, " Smith said. "Both teams have some attacking qualities that will really test each other's defences.
"It's got the ingredients for some big scores, I'd say. It's going to be hot down there from all reports and that often brings an openness to the game as well."
Both finalists have a chance to emulate Leeds' treble-winning feat of 2015, with Hull currently top of the table just a point ahead of Warrington, and Smith is predicting a points feast at Wembley.
"It should be a good game, " Smith said. "Both teams have some attacking qualities that will really test each other's defences.
"It's got the ingredients for some big scores, I'd say. It's going to be hot down there from all reports and that often brings an openness to the game as well."
