Wakefield Trinity boss Mark Applegarth keeps cards close to chest over Luke Gale as he talks up Morgan Smith

Gale joined Trinity from Championship outfit Keighley Cougars last week but the trip to Warrington Wolves came too soon for the 34-year-old.

Although he has had an extra week to readjust to a full-time environment, there is no guarantee that Gale will face his former employers on Thursday night following a strong showing by Smith at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

"We'll have to wait and see," said Applegarth.

"I was really happy with Morgan Smith. He responded really well to the challenges we set him after that Leigh game.

"He's definitely given us a headache. I've always said if you do your job, it's your shirt to lose. Morgan has definitely done that.

"Galey has been great for the group and is training hard. He obviously looks after himself, as you can see from his body condition.

"Luke Gale will play a big part for Wakefield Trinity but Morgan Smith did exactly what I asked of him. He scored a lovely well-deserved try.

"We'll wait and see for Thursday. It's definitely given me a good headache."

Gale endured a frustrating season at the MKM Stadium in 2022 after failing to put his stamp on a struggling side as captain.

Applegarth will not be swayed by Gale's backstory as he continues his search for a first win as a head coach.

"It would have a bit of extra meaning but it's a bigger game than Luke Gale and Hull," added Applegarth, whose team have lost all 11 games so far in Super League.

"It's about the team, and he'd be the first one to put his hand up and say that.

"We'll do what's right for the team and not just that romance story about Luke Gale playing against his old club.”

Liam Kay will sit out the match with an infected wound, leaving Tom Lineham and Lee Kershaw in a battle for a wing spot.

Lineham was dropped after the round two hammering at Wigan Warriors and has only recently recovered from a hamstring issue that kept him sidelined.

"He's kept his head down in training and played really well in the reserve game we had against Wigan last week," said Applegarth.

"If he does play on Thursday, it will be well earned.

"It's the same with Lee. He's been training hard in the background waiting for his chance again."

Lineham has struggled to make an impression since joining Wakefield from Warrington, making an inauspicious start to this year after just seven appearances in his debut campaign in 2022.

Applegarth has confirmed that the 31-year-old has had retirement thoughts but is convinced the winger is ready to contribute to Trinity's survival bid.

"There's a few of them that when they get to a certain age those questions have come," said Applegarth.

"I think it was more Tom having that chat to himself and making sure he was committed to doing what it takes to play at this level because it does take a lot of commitment.

"I've had no qualms with Tom Lineham whatsoever and how he's applied himself in training. He's still showing up well in all his tests – he was the fastest in the squad over a 30-metre sprint the other week.

"He's been taking care of himself. Away from the colourful character he is, there's also a deeper side to him. He does care and wants to perform.

"If he does play, I'll be looking forward to seeing him go."