Kear expects Murphy to impress for Wakefield

The 21-year-old Murphy, who began the season as a winger or centre, is keeping established full-back Matt Blaymire out of the Wildcats line-up for the visit of McNamara's Bradford side.

"He's playing really well," said Kear.

"I think he's been playing well enough for Steve McNamara to have a look at him.

"Everybody felt his main position was centre or wing but he hasn't put a foot wrong at full-back so he obviously keeps his spot and Matty will play in the reserves."

McNamara's first match as England coach will be against France at Leigh on June 12 and a full-strength side would probably feature Hull KR's Shaun Briscoe at full-back.

However, Kear, who was in charge of England for the 2000 World Cup, is hoping the new boss will take the opportunity to look at fringe players with an eye on 2013.

"I'm a big fan of Shaun Briscoe but I'm pretty sure that Aaron has the ability to be in his class," said Kear.

"It isn't being disrespectful to France but I'm sure Steve McNamara would want a successful World Cup rather than an undefeated record against France.

"That's what matters in the long run, a really good tournament in 2013 and, at 21, Aaron will probably be playing his best rugby at that point."

Wakefield will be looking to halt a five-match losing run tonight while a win for the Bulls would lift them into the top for the first time for two years.

Warrington will go top of the table - at least for 48 hours - if they topple defending champions Leeds at Headingley but they must do so without current scrum half Richie Myler and his predecessor Michael Monaghan.

Myler damaged a knee in the Wolves' 60-4 Challenge Cup rout of Huddersfield while Monaghan picked up an injury in training, which will leave the onus on the long-serving Lee Briers to run the show.

Warrington are the form team, with 128 points in their last two matches, and Leeds coach Brian McClennan knows his side must improve their suspect defence if they are to become only the fourth side to beat them this year.

Six clubs currently have better defensive records and McClennan got to work on their tackling after leaking 22 points against third-division Blackpool in the Cup.

"We've been focusing a fair bit of attention on our defence," he said.

"It does concern us that we're conceding more points than we normally do.

"In 2008 we were the best defensive team in the competition and in 2009 we were second and now I think we're only fourth or fifth so we need to up that, especially against Warrington, who are attacking well."