This weekend's squad news sees returns to the 19-man squad for Ben Westwood and Danny Walker, with Matt Davis and Harvey Livett dropping out, Davis presumably being rested. Tom Lineham and Jake Mamo remain unavailable though, however there was some good news on the injury front for the Wire this week with the sight of Kevin Brown running on the HJ pitch and Steve Price confirming that Brown has a chance to play this season after it was initially thought that the half back would miss the entire of 2019 when he was injured in pre-season, and it was assumed that the 35-year-old had played his last match for the club. I've been Brown's biggest critic in the last few years, but it was sad that his final year at the Wire looked to have been taken from him, and so I'm pleased that he could be available for the business end of the season, and with Declan Patton's performance levels unreliable at best so far, we have missed Brown at times.
Full Back - 1 Stefan Ratchford
The cup win over Wigan last week was Ratchford's best performance of the season and was the former Salford man at his very best. If we can get him back into that kind of form, we are a much better team.
Winger - 3 Bryson Goodwin
I was hoping to see Lineham or Mamo back in the squad for this week, but in their continued absence, I expect to see the same back line that started against Wigan. Goodwin had a sound game and scored a good try out wide. He's playing well at the minute.
Centre - 4 Ryan Atkins
In an ideal world, I'd be having Goodwin here and one of Lineham or Mamo out wide, but that isn't an option right now. Atkins did okay against Wigan and scored a good try quite similar to his one against London earlier in the season. Hopefully he can produce a decent performance on Saturday too.
Centre - 18 Toby King
After a period of excellent form, King was much quieter against Wigan. It was in the fixture away at Hull FC that King's strong run of form began, and against a defence that often leak a large points haul, it wouldn't be surprising to see him involved in an attacking sense.
Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
Charnley has been in fairly quiet scoring form lately, though has been praised for his defensive work, particularly carrying the ball from his own line. This would be a good time for him to bag a try or two and get himself going again, particularly because Hull carry threats of their own and are likely to notch up a solid tally of points.
Stand Off - 6 Blake Austin
Austin's influence has been deeper and less obvious in the last two games, though his quality has continued to shine through. Our last fixture with FC was the scene of Austin's mind-blowing performance which saw him bag four tries - a repeat on Saturday wouldn't go amiss!
Scrum Half - 15 Declan Patton
I keep picking Patton here because we don't really have any other option, but we really do need more from him. He started the season quite well but the last few weeks have been a real struggle for him.
Prop - 8 Chris Hill
Chris Hill's last few matches have been his best of the season so far. His driving runs and metre-making have been exemplary and he is thoroughly deserving of his place in the team right now.
Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
An absolute beast of a performance from Clark in the win over Wigan on Sunday. He's always incredible and is one of the most consistently outstanding players in the league. He and Austin are two players I always look forward to watching.
Prop - 10 Mike Cooper
Cooper is another one who is consistently performing to a high standard at the minute. His offloads have been key to our attacking structure and he is part of a forward line that is very settled lately.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
We're starting to see the best of Currie, particularly in a tackling sense. This is another area of the team that is very settled, Currie and Hughes are undisputed first-choice.
Second Row - 12 Jack Hughes
I really enjoyed Hughes' performance against Wigan, that's the best of Jack Hughes. A solid all-round defensive display and his Sunday was capped off with a great try. No doubt about his selection here.
Loose Forward - 34 Ben Westwood
It's time for the weekly edition of 'who will start at loose forward for Warrington this week?' Matt Davis has been doing a really good job of late, though hasn't made the squad for this game, so there will be a change. Westwood is back in the squad and so I think the Wire legend will start here in what would be only his fifth appearance of 2019.
Interchange - 20 Sitaleki Akauola
Since regaining his place Akauola has been very good from the bench and is likely to keep his place there this week.
Interchange - 14 Jason Clark
Jason Clark is solid without being spectacular, and Steve Price seems to be a big fan of him, so I expect him to be an interchange again this weekend.
Interchange - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
I expect this week's interchange bench to be identical to last week's. BMM had a good impact last week and it was his ferocious carry that facilitated Daryl Clark's try.
Interchange - 17 Joe Philbin
This bench is full of players who are far better utilised in stints from the interchange bench rather than from the start. Philbin epitomises this, and is probably one of the first names on the teamsheet - though not usually in the starting 13.
LINEUP LAST TIME OUT VS WIGAN:
Ratchford; Goodwin, Atkins, King, Charnley; Austin, Patton; Hill, D Clark, Cooper; Currie, Hughes; Davis
Interchanges: Akauola, Murdoch-Masila, J Clark, Philbin
MY SWEET 17 VS HULL FC:
Ratchford; Goodwin, Atkins, King, Charnley; Austin, Patton; Hill, D Clark, Cooper; Currie, Hughes; Westwood
Interchanges: Akauola, Murdoch-Masila, J Clark, Philbin
This will be a tricky game to predict, as Hull FC are very unpredictable and produce very up-and-down results. Just in their last two games, they have been on opposite ends of very contrasting home results - a battering at the hands of Catalans Dragons before an impressive win over Castleford Tigers. Wire's best performance of the season was away at Hull at the back end of March where we showed tonnes of quality in attack but also a resolute defence. FC have improved since then though so it will need to be another strong performance to earn the all-important two points ahead of a rematch with Wigan at Magic Weekend. Jamie Shaul has returned for the Yorkshire team, which means Jake Connor is likely to play at centre. Albert Kelly will be a player to keep an eye on while former Wire Joe Westermann will get a good reception from the home fans.
Elsewhere this week, top-of-the-league St Helens face Salford Red Devils at home, a game which the Saints are likely to win, making two points for us on Saturday even more essential. 3rd placed Wakefield Trinity travel to bottom club London Broncos, while Catalans Dragons take on Wigan Warriors at the Nou Camp in what is sure to be a momentous occasion for the sport. Castleford Tigers comfortably defeated Leeds Rhinos in the Thursday game, and there is a bottom-half clash at the John Smith's between Huddersfield Giants and Hull KR on Friday night, too.
Hull have some quality, but I think we'll have too much for them on Saturday. See you at the HJ!
It's always our year.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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