Warrington coach provides update on immediate future of Riley Dean, plus early team news

Warrington boss Daryl Powell is yet to decide on the immediate future of Riley Dean, having played the majority of the season to date on loan at Featherstone.

The half-back has been recalled twice by his parent club from his Championship spell – during the Challenge Cup and most recently to cover Josh Drinkwater’s ban to feature against Leigh.

Dean, 21, had joined Sean Long’s Featherstone outfit on a season-long loan at the start of the year, featuring 11 times to date and scoring five tries in an unbeaten campaign so far in the second tier. 

Powell confirmed during his weekly press conference that the young prospect has stayed at the Halliwell Jones Stadium following the Super League defeat at the Leigh Sports Village, with Drinkwater also now returning to the squad after serving his one-match suspension. 

Riley Dean remains with Warrington for now

“Josh [Drinkwater] comes back from suspension, he’ll come back in to the squad,” Powell said. 

“It’ll be good to have him back. He’s been class. His input has been great. As an organisational half, he’s been outstanding. 

“He’s been great for George Williams. He’s played pretty well and I’m really looking forward to seeing his best over the second half of the season. 

“Riley is still with us at the moment. We’ve just got to make a decision on what that looks like moving forward, but he’s still here.

“We obviously need to do what is best for Riley and his development. There’s a couple of bits that I won’t go into with the deal and we need to decide what’s best for him.” 

Joe Bullock, who was named 18th man for the trip to Leigh, is back in contention as Warrington face Hull in the closing fixture of Magic Weekend on Sunday in Newcastle.

Josh McGuire will miss the clash at St James’ Park due to a knee knock, while the loose forward is currently under investigation for the use of unacceptable language during the Super League Round 13 defeat.

Outside-backs Josh Thewlis and Connor Wrench are both available and look to be named in Powell’s 21-man squad later today.

The Warrington boss continued: “Josh McGuire picked up a knock last week. He probably won’t be in the squad. Apart from that, we’re alright. We’re not too bad. 

“He’s disappointed that he can’t play in this game, but it is what it is. Players are picking up injuries all the time and we’ll have to roll with it.

“Josh Thewlis is available. I’ve got to make a call on him.

“Connor Wrench has been and around the squad for a few weeks now. I’ve got to make a call on what those outside-backs look like.”

Warrington take on Tony Smith’s Hull on Sunday with a 4:30pm kick-off.

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