Another Wakefield signing imminent as taking care of short-term future and Super League survival take priority

Wakefield coach Mark Applegarth says his focus is their Super League survival as he expects another new signing to arrive ahead of their next game.

After seven straight losses, it heightens the pressure on Thursday’s derby clash with Castleford, who have struggles of their own.

Will Dagger joined from Hull KR in a swap deal with Corey Hall this week, while winger Innes Senior and hooker Tom Forber have joined on loan from Huddersfield and Wigan respectively.

At least one other body is due to be added to the squad following the 38-0 defeat at St Helens on Friday night.

Applegarth said: “We are looking to bring bodies in, and that’s adding bodies and not taking anyone out.

“We need some experience for the here and now. I said midweek about Corey Hall and Will Dagger, we’ve got to take care of the short-term and that’s to make sure we’re in Super League.

“But with the performance of some of the young players against St Helens, the long-term health of the club is looking positive.

“We’ve got some big names coming back. Liam Hood will be available, as should Kevin Proctor and Renouf Atoni. Josh Bowden and Kelepi Tanginoa are not far off.

“There is some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of experience and strike threat, and hopefully we can add to that too.

“We looked a lot more dangerous with having a recognised full back in the line, I think anyone would agree with that. Innes came up with some try savers. They’ll be better for that hit out.

“We have just got to get some composure. There’s a bit of a mental block in attack at the moment and that’s mine and Fordy’s job to unlock it, and starting converting opportunities in to points.”

A derby with even extra meaning

Wakefield have been nilled four times in seven games, and scored just seven tries so far this season. They’ll take that blunt attack to face a Castleford side who suffered a 38-0 loss of their own last week against Warrington, and are in France this weekend to face high-flying Catalans.

Applegarth added: “It’s always a big game being a local derby, but it adds a certain magnitude to it given the current plight of both teams. No matter what the result was against St Helens, even if we had sneaked a victory, then the Castleford one would still be a massive game.

“Every game is a big one, especially when you’re bottom of the league. You’ve got to have a bit of desperation about you. We’ll get recovered from this and then be fully focused on ourselves.

“You’d say yes it is a must win game. But looking at it objectively too, we’re in round eight, there’s still a hell of a lot of rugby to be played.”

READ NEXT: St Helens boss hails star man, ‘infectious character’ and impressive youngster