Rugby League Coaching Manuals

By Ian Laybourn, Sporting Life - Wakefield coach John Kear has been forced to call a part-time player into his squad for Sunday's opening engage Super League game at Wigan after ruling eight senior players out of contention.

An early-season injury crisis has robbed the Wildcats of Danny Brough, Danny Sculthorpe, Tevita Leo-Latu, Matt Peterson, Ryan Atkins, Aaron Murphy and Cain Southernwood while Richard Moore continues to be laid low with a mystery illness.

Jamie Rooney is struggling with a long-standing knee injury but is expected to play.

"We've got 26 full-time players and there are eight missing so it makes selection very easy indeed," said Kear, who has named hooker or loose forward Luke Blake in his initial 19-man squad.

Blake made his debut as a 16-year-old at Hunslet in National League Two and is currently on a part-time contract at Belle Vue.

"Luke is looking to earn a full-time contract," said Kear.

"He was very good against Doncaster in our pre-season trial and that's the reason he's in the squad.

"He's taken a week off work and trained with us. He deserves his place and, if he gets an opportunity, I'm sure he will take it."

Kear has already signed Bradford winger Dave Halley on a month's loan and admits he may have to dip further into the transfer market if his resources are stretched during his club's demanding start to the season.

Sunday's game at Wigan is followed by an away match against defending champions Leeds just five days later.

"Is there a good time to play Wigan and Leeds away?" asked the coach.

"I'm really pleased because it will allow us to see if the depth of our squad is as good as we believe it is and if the quality within our squad is as good as we believe it is.

"If it is we can smile and continue to consolidate and build. If not, we will have to try and rectify one or two areas."

Meanwhile, Kear has revealed that Huddersfield have rejected a proposed player-exchange that would have taken hooker Brad Drew back to the Galpharm Stadium.

The former Canberra Raiders player was targeted by new Giants coach Nathan Brown as a replacement for fellow Australian Todd Carney, whose move fell through when he was denied a visa to enter the country.

"Brad is contracted to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and for him to leave it would have to be of benefit to both us and Brad," said Kear.

"Huddersfield didn't come to the party with what we wanted so it's been shelved. It's no longer an issue.

"Obviously it was confidential but I made Brad aware of it because we operate an open and honest policy in our group. He was open and honest with me and we're very happy with where we are at the minute."