Washbrook is positive on Wakefield’s future

Wakefield host leaders Wigan tomorrow nine points adrift of the top eight with just eight regular rounds remaining.

Given incoming coach Richard Agar started the season with 17 new players, it has been no surprise Trinity have struggled to impact on the competition as much as they would have liked.

However, loose forward Washbrook, who joined from Hull FC and has been of their most consistent operators, believes the signs are positive.

“We’ve started to find the way we want to play now,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“We started well, then had a bit of a dip but have begun to show what we can do.

“The longer we’re together as a group, the better we’ll become and if we can build some momentum at the back end of this year, then take it into pre-season, we’ll be in a good position heading towards the next campaign.”

Washbrook, 26, has thrived since gaining regular football following his move from hometown Hull and is currently Super League’s top tackler with an astonishing total of 740.

That facet of his game is sure to be tested tomorrow by a Wigan side still fuming from their surprise loss at home to financially-crippled Bradford Bulls.

The Warriors welcome back England star Sam Tomkins and also yesterday completed the surprise transfer of Salford City Reds scrum-half Matty Smith.

He was lined up to move to Wigan at the end of the season when his contract expired.

However, with the leaders having lost Kiwi star Thomas Leuluai to a broken leg, they have now paid a fee for the player who made his England debut against the Exiles on Wednesday night.

Smith, 24, will train with his new team-mates today in readiness to make his debut at Wakefield tomorrow.

Wigan coach Shaun Wane said: “I have been a big admirer of Matty for a while.

“From my early discussions with him I knew that my coaching team could do things with him.

“He is very vocal and plays very directly and he will fit into our system with ease.”

Smith, who will be ineligible for next Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Leeds Rhinos, has signed a three-year deal.

Wakefield, meanwhile, hand a debut to Leeds’s Lee Smith, who has joined on a month’s loan.

He said: “My contract is up this year and this obviously gives me a chance to get out and play and put me in the shop window.”