Wakefield aiming for a first league double

The former Hull FC chief takes Trinity to East Yorkshire tomorrow looking for the win that will see his side leapfrog their rivals into ninth place.

Rovers have been out of sorts and pressure is mounting on head coach Craig Sandercock.

But Agar, whose side were eliminated from the Challenge Cup at Hull last week, insisted: “I think Craig will be thinking the best way to answer the questions is through his team’s performances.

“If that continues throughout the season and results take care of themselves, that might take care of his own position.

“But that plays no part in our build up whatsoever. We are trying to maintain some good league form we’ve had over a couple of weeks and win what we think is an important league game in terms of the standings in the competition.

“Rovers have had some good wins at home. They’ve knocked off St Helens twice and Warrington over there during the last six or seven weeks.

“They’ve probably also had some disappointing performances and defeats but we know Craven Park is a difficult place to go and realise the challenge as they are sitting one spot above us.

“In the short-term, there’s a bit of significance in that the team that gets the spoils in this one will be getting a bit closer to the eight.”

Victory would mark Wakefield’s first league double of the season, having beaten Rovers 36-20 at home in February and their chances are enhanced by the return of influential full-back Richard Mathers following an ankle injury sustained in early April.

State of Origin prop Justin Poore will also bring some added steel to the pack if he passes a fitness test and only stand-off Paul Sykes is absent.

Wakefield’s home fixture with Leeds Rhinos has been brought forward to Friday July 26 (8pm).

The game was originally due to be played in March but was postponed because of snow and rescheduled for Wednesday, July 31.

However, with both sides having exited the Challenge Cup last week, it has now been moved to a free weekend.