Greg Inglis “at long odds” to feature in opening round

The 34-year-old is coming out of retirement after signing a 12-month contract with the Wolves but has not played for almost two years and coach Steve Price says he will not rush him back into action.

Inglis warmed up for Warrington’s pre-season friendly against Leigh at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday night but did not play in the match, which the home side won 34-12, his place being taken by youngster Connor Wrench.

Price said: “He’s done a bit of training with us. We put him out there just to get a bit more volume in his legs, a bit more directional change, because he hasn’t played for so long.

“We’ve got a duty and a responsibility to get his body right.”

Asked about Inglis’ prospects of running out for his debut at Headingley next weekend, Price said: “If I was a betting man, he’d be at long odds.”

Warrington fans were also given a scare when stand-off Blake Austin limped out of the match, which was in aid of Chris Hill’s testimonial, but Price says he will be fit for the opener, along with forwards Jack Hughes and Mike Cooper, who sat out Friday’s trial.

Leigh coach John Duffy will monitor the fitness of scrum-half Jamie Ellis ahead of his side’s opening game against Wigan next Thursday after he came off with a knee problem.

Duffy said: “He jarred his knee and it doesn’t look too good. We’ll have to keep an eye out for that next week.”

Leigh will definitely be without former Salford centre Junior Sa’u for the Wigan game as he recovers from a knee injury.