KURT Gidley is likely to return alongside Chris Sandow in the halves when Warrington Wolves visit Catalans Dragons on Saturday.

Stefan Ratchford is set to play from the bench after stepping into the vacant half back spot in the win at Salford last week with Gidley missing due to concussion.

Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith says hooker Daryl Clark will not be risked as the former Man of Steel continues his recovery from a calf strain.

“Kurt and Chris’ combination was working pretty good for us,” said Smith. “So more than likely we’ll go with that combination.

“Stef will probably play off the bench but we’ll have a look at that, we haven’t finalised it.

“We could possibly push (Clark) but he’s got a little calf strain. He may well be just OK by Saturday, but we’re unlikely to risk him at this stage so he’ll probably miss out.”

Smith said Ben Westwood is “two to three weeks off” after ankle surgery while new signing Ryan Bailey will begin running again soon following an Achilles operation.

But Wolves have strength in depth, with Mitchell Dodds making his debut at Salford, Joe Philbin collecting man of the match for partner club Rochdale and Ben Evans returning from injury.

“We’ve got some boys chomping at the bit for selection, so that’s a really good place to be,” added Smith.

“We’re delighted to have the amount of depth that we’ve got.

“We’ve got a few players out with injury, but were able to cover it up pretty well at the moment.

“But players only expect to be in the team when they deserve to be.

“They’re fine with it all, they’re all trying hard and when they deserve to be in the team they get selected, so they’re all good.”

James Laithwaite remains a long-term absentee, but hopes to move from underwater running to full weight bearing in the next week.

“It’s been a long, arduous rehabilitation for him but there’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel for James,” said Smith.

The Wire will fly to Barcelona on Friday and stay on the outskirts of Perpignan ahead of Saturday’s clash, kick off 5pm.

“We’ve got a training run out there on Friday afternoon when we arrive,” explained Smith. "We’re looking forward to it.

“It’s always a tough trip in terms of travel, but it's something different and a chance for all the players to get away in an environment that puts you in each other’s pockets, which we haven’t done since our camp.

“The good thing is the weather is down for 15 degrees on the weekend, which is perfect rugby league conditions.”