Widnes v Wakefield preview
Widnes Vikings captain Kevin Brown (ankle) and centre Chris Bridge (calf) miss out because of injuries sustained in the loss against Warrington.
Widnes skipper Kevin Brown will miss this Friday’s First Utility Super League clash against Wakefield with an ankle injury.
The Vikings kingpin limped off in the second half of last Friday’s disappointing 48-16 home loss to local rivals Warrington and the club is still assessing the full extent of the damage.
To add to the Vikings’ woes, two potential replacements for Brown in the halves have also been struck down.
Tom Gilmore dislocated his shoulder in the Challenge Cup win at Rochdale a week last Sunday and will be on the sidelines for 16 weeks following an operation.
And Chris Bridge left the field against the Wolves with a pulled calf which will put him out for a week or two.
Widnes boss, Denis Betts, said: “Kev came off with what at first looked like a twisted ankle but as he came into the changing rooms it ballooned and looked pretty bad.
“He’s had some scans and the feedback from those is pretty positive but we’ve sent him to see a specialist we’ve used before and we’re waiting on that.
“You feel for Kev who was trying to get going again and get back to the form he showed last year and at the start of this season.
Wakefield Wildcats coach chris Chester makes two changes have been made to the side that faced Hull FC at Belle Vue on Sunday, with Stuart Howarth and Richie Owen coming into the squad.
They will replace Jonny Molloy and Reece Lyne, who are both ruled out having picked up hamstring and ankle injuries respectively in the defeat.
The Wildcats have lost just one of their last five games.
Widnes Vikings: Pat Ah Van, Hep Cahill, Ed Chamberlain, Chris Dean, Gil Dudson, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Jordan Johnstone, Macgraff Leuluai, Manase Manuokafoa, Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor, Eamon O'Carroll, Charly Runciman, Setaimata Sa, Corey Thompson, Lloyd White, Matt Whitley
Wakefield Wildcats: Chris Annakin, Tinirau Arona, Matty Ashurst, Anthony England, Liam Finn, Ashley Gibson, Craig Hall, Stuart Howarth, Tom Johnstone, Ben Jones-Bishop, Max Jowitt, Danny Kirmond, Jacob Miller, Scott Moore, Richie Owen, Nick Scruton, Mickael Simon, Mikey Sio, Anthony Tupou
