Wakefield Trinity v St Helens - Coach Chris Chester works on Wakefield’s shortcomings and long-term cure

On an eight-game losing run, they pushed Super League leaders Saints close last Friday before ultimately falling 20-16. They face the same opponents again this evening but at Halliwell Jones Stadium rather than Emerald Headingley.

Chester said: “We showed some really positive signs and, for large parts of the game, we were pretty good.

“I wasn’t frustrated with the result.

“I am more frustrated we can’t do that week-in and week-out. That has been the biggest issue for us for a number of years and something we are trying to address. But, last week, I thought we attacked pretty good and toughed it out when we needed to.

“With a little bit of luck here and there it could have been a different story.

“It is probably the best performance we have had since lockdown.”

Chester, who says he has been in talks with Sam Williams about bringing the Canberra Raiders half-back back to Trinity in 2021, has worked at improving one area in particular ahead of tonight’s contest. He said: “The right-edge are prepared.

“They have leaked a few tries over the last few weeks and we have tried to tinker with a few things in training.

“Fingers crossed we can defend a bit tougher on that right side, but looking at the squad, it is one that’s more than capable of getting a result.”

Trinity have reported no new Covid cases so, conceivably, could name the same 17 although winger Ben Jones-Bishop plus props Chris Green and Romain Navarrete are also pushing for recalls.

Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors’ game against Catalans Dragons, set to kick-off prior to Trinity in Warrington, was yesterday postponed.

Wigan, who saw three players test positive for Covid last week, reported that three more of their employees – one from the coaching staff and two from their support staff – had also tested positive.

A statement read: “As yet, there is no new date available in the calendar for the Wigan-Catalans fixture – but the situation will be kept under review.

“There will be a further round of testing at the Club on Thursday. Following those results, the RFL’s Multiple Cases Group will consider whether the Wigan first team squad can return to training.”

It remains to be seen if the game will go ahead given Catalans already have two other fixtures to make up.

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Thank you, James Mitchinson. Editor.