Youngsters prove point to give Kear reasons to be hopeful

Already bruised psychologically by Sunday's meek surrender against Castleford Tigers, a defeat that saw them ousted from Super League's top eight by their derby rivals, they host high-flying Saints with a busted squad missing five regulars.

But Kear, a past master at the art of motivation, will point towards the club's second string as he tries to raise their performance.

"The reserves provided a tonic on Wednesday night," he said.

"We pulled out Ben Gledhill and James Davey in order to make them available for the first team and they were virtually down to their last 17 standing.

"But they beat a side (Wigan) up the top end of the league and that was just because they came here and gave it everything.

"You can learn things from that. When your backs are against the wall, get stuck in and you never know what's around the corner."

One of those reserve players – 20-year-old half-back Matty Wildie – could make his Super League debut against last year's beaten Grand Finalists with Kear seeing both recognised full-backs Matt Blaymire and Aaron Murphy injured at The Jungle along with ex-Great Britain international Paul Johnson.

Having inflicted an impressive defeat on Hull at Belle Vue a fortnight ago, he remains at a loss as to what happened with the abject second half against Castleford and admits not knowing which Wakefield side will arrive tomorrow.

"That's the mystery," said Kear. "We'll toss a coin and see which one arrives. It's frustrating for everyone but more so for the players. We've harped on about what differences there were leading up to Hull and Castleford and they felt there was very little.

"It's disappointing that the performances were so different and we've tried to address it."

Leeds see Kiwi full-back Brent Webb return at Salford tomorrow following a five-match injury lay-off while former Great Britain prop Ryan Bailey also bolsters the champions after missing the last-minute win over Huddersfield due to sickness.

Huddersfield aim to put that disappointment behind them and put pressure on Leeds when Harlequins pay a visit although in-form scrum-half Luke Robinson is a surprise omission.

Kyle Wood, who made his Super League debut while on loan at Castleford earlier this summer, is line for his first Giants appearance while his former club head to Crusaders bidding to continue their fruitful push into the play-off places.