Hull FC v Warriors: Teams
Mark Calderwood and Chris Thorman are set to make their debuts for Hull FC at the KC Stadium on Friday night.
Last Updated: 12/02/09 11:43am
New Hull FC signings Mark Calderwood and Chris Thorman are set to make their debuts for the Black and Whites on Friday night.
Former Wigan and Leeds winger Calderwood only left the JJB Stadium in the off-season, but has an immediate opportunity to get one over his former employers.
Scrum-half Thorman was recruited from the Huddersfield Giants and also joins the fit-again Richard Horne in the squad for the visit of the Warriors.
Horne missed most of Super League XIII because of a serious neck injury and, despite recently being diagnosed with diabetes, he is now ready to return.
Double boost
Danny Washbrook is back from his posterior cruciate ligament injury as well and Shaun Berrigan is set for his first game of 2009 after sitting out pre-season while recovering from shoulder surgery.
Gareth Raynor, Richard Whiting and Motu Tony are still sidelined and coach Richard Agar is expecting a tough test in spite of Wigan's shock opening defeat to Wakefield.
"We are expecting an emotional response from Wigan after what was an under-par performance last week," Agar said.
"You look down their team sheet and it is packed with internationals. They will pose a mighty challenge for us but we're really good and we're ready for a game now.
"We can't wait for Friday to come along. It is fair to say we are all a bit sick of pre-season now. We are looking forward to getting some football under our belts."
Conviction
Wigan are without Richard Mathers after the full-back was handed a two-match ban for tripping Dave Halley in the defeat last weekend.
Karl Pryce is also unavailable as he continues to strive for fitness so Cameron Phelps and Darrell Goulding are competing for the chance to start alongside George Carmont in the centres.
Despite making their inauspicious debuts for the club at the JJB on Sunday, coach Brian Noble is confident Australian duo Amos Roberts and Mark Riddell will come good.
"They will both need time to adapt to the Super League environment - but they will prove fantastic signings for us," Noble said.
With Mathers suspended either Pat Richards or Roberts is likely to fill in at full-back, freeing up a space down one of the flanks.
Hull FC squad: Byrne, Hall, Briscoe, Calderwood, Yeaman, R. Horne, G. Horne, Thorman, Dowes, Cusack, King, Thackray, Berrigan, Houghton, Tickle, Burnett, Manu, Radford, Washbrook.
Wigan squad: Roberts, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Smith, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Paleaaesina, Hock, Bailey, O'Loughlin, J. Tomkins, Coley, Hansen, McIlorum, Prescott, Phelps, O'Carroll.