Chris hoping to Bridge gap for Warrington

Jun 30 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

CHRIS BRIDGE could return for Warrington Wolves as they make their second trip to France of the engage Super League season.

After nine weeks out with a series of injuries, Bridge has been pencilled in at left centre with Paul Johnson ruled out after a recurrence of a back problem.

Steve Pickersgill (shin) will also miss the trip while Stuart Reardon (knee), Martin Gleeson (knee) and Vinnie Anderson (back) remain on the casualty list.

Coach Paul Cullen is hoping his side has learnt from the 27-16 defeat they suffered in Perpignan in April, saying: “We were done in the pack last time I thought because of our inexperience.

“Although the young players gave their best they came up against a very tough, resilient and experienced French pack.

“Stacey Jones’ kicking game was exceptional and Casey McGuire caused us problems at the back of both halves.”

Catalans could be boosted by the return of Australian utility Jason Croker from a broken foot while Sebastien Raguin and Adel Fellous are also back in contention. Thomas Bosc, Cyrille Gossard, Gregory Mounis and David Ferriol are back from international duty unscathed.

Widnes will look to get their Co-operative National League One campaign back on track at home to Rochdale Hornets.

It’s more than two weeks since they last played a league game, when they lost their 100% record with a 12-6 defeat to Halifax. But since then they have achieved a confidence-boosting Northern Rail Cup semi-final victory over Castleford to set up a final against their coach Steve McCormack’s former club Whitehaven on July 15.

McCormack expects Damien Blanch to shake off a slight back injury for the visit of Rochdale.

HULL’S game with Salford tomorrow has been postponed due to concerns over safety at the KC Stadium.