Kear primed for 'big game'
Wakefield and Castleford will be hoping to cast aside their dismal league form when they meet in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.
Last Updated: 20/05/11 4:32pm
Wakefield and Castleford will be hoping to cast aside their dismal Super League form when they bid for Challenge Cup glory in Saturday's fifth-round derby clash at Belle Vue.
The Tigers have lost their last four league matches while the Wildcats are second from bottom after losing two out of three since they came from behind to beat Castleford 28-24 on Good Friday.
Victory would take one of the sides to within two games of a trip to Wembley. Furthermore, fortunes could also be boosted by the decision on the next set of Super League licences, which is due to be announced 48 hours after the quarter-finals in July.
"This is a very big game," said Wakefield coach John Kear, who won the cup with Sheffield Eagles and Hull and also took the Wildcats to the semi-finals when the inaugural licences were allocated in 2008.
"There's a lot riding on it. Both teams will fancy their chances of making it to the final.
"There's not long now - only two more games after this weekend and you're there. You can practically smell it once you get to the quarters.
"We have to take it one step at a time, though, and at the moment there is massive hurdle to clear this weekend."
Castleford have overseas threequarters Willie Isa and Nick Youngquest back after lengthy injury lay-offs, while Wakefield have lost centre Chris Dean with a wrist problem and recent recruits Tyrone McCarthy, Liam Higgins and Gareth Moore are all Cup-tied.