Wakefield Trinity boss Mark Applegarth excited to get 'favourite toy' back as he reveals Kelepi Tanginoa return date

Applegarth has been robbed of Tanginoa's services for much of his first season in charge at Belle Vue, with the forward featuring just four times due to a series of injuries.

Tanginoa, who was named in the 2020 Super League Dream Team, has not played since sustaining a broken arm against Catalans Dragons in late May but is on course to make his comeback in the home clash with the French side on September 8.

"We're hoping he should be available for the last three rounds," said Applegarth.

"He's got his pot off, has been for a CT scan and the specialist is pretty happy. As long as there are no hiccups, he should be back for the last three rounds.

"Everyone is itching to have him back. It's like having your favourite toy in your toybox that you're not allowed to play with.

"He's had a very unlucky year with a couple of hamstring injuries and this broken arm.

"He doesn't seem to be able to catch a break at the moment but hopefully we can get him back and he can be a big player for us in the last three games."

Trinity's task is to ensure they are still in the battle for survival when Tanginoa returns.

A damaging defeat to relegation rivals Castleford Tigers leaves Wakefield two points adrift at the bottom with an inferior for and against record.

With five games left to save their Super League status, Applegarth has urged Trinity to relax after sensing the occasion got to his players last week.

"Subconsciously I think it definitely did," he said ahead of Friday's trip to Salford Red Devils.

"We went into our shells a bit and didn't really play as expansively as we could have done. That's probably down to the occasion and people worrying about pulling triggers when they were on.

"We've just spoken about playing our natural game. When we're at our best, we're a team that likes to throw the ball about.

"It's a good lesson to learn for us about making sure you don't go too far away from what your strengths are.

"We're coming up against a team that we've played twice this year and know exactly what they're about. When they're on, they're one of the most potent attacking teams in the league so we haven't had time to dwell on last week."

Trinity appeared dead and buried only two months ago before wiping out a six-point deficit.

Applegarth is hoping his players can summon the same spirit on the home straight.

"We've been building up the last 12, 13 games as cup finals since falling six points behind," he added.

"It's the same mentality – every week is do or die. You can't afford to be picking and choosing games, especially when you're bottom of the league.

"We're back into that mode where we need a team to slip up for us to be in control of our own destiny again. It's a challenge we've got to meet head on and embrace."

Applegarth has hinted he will make one or two changes for the trip to the AJ Bell Stadium, which could mean a recall for Will Dagger following 18th man duties last week.

After seeing Dagger make important contributions in the wins over Leeds Rhinos, Salford and Wigan Warriors as a half-back, the fans are clamouring for Dagger to return.

"Will is in contention and will be there or thereabouts," said Applegarth.

"He's been in great form. There's stuff that happens behind the scenes that we don't always speak about in the press, whether it's little niggles or anything like that.

"Daggs is a big player for us and will have a big part to play in these next five games during the run-in."