ESL Playoff news

Wakefield - in the play-offs for the first time in club history - are the 150-1 outsiders to reach the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

But the club?s position as rank outsiders does not worry Wildcats Head Coach Shane McNally.

Wakefield face Hull FC at the KC Stadium this Friday night in the first Elimination Play-Off and McNally - speaking at a news conference to launch the Tetley?s Rugby Super League Play-Off series - was in a confident mood.

He said: "They are pretty good odds in a six-horse race."

But McNally did admit that Wakefield have fitness doubts over scrum-half Ben Jeffries and winger Semi Tadulala.

He also said the Wildcats will definitely be without second row forward David Wrench, who is in hospital with septicemia, but hope that Jamie Rooney will be fit to return from six weeks out with a knee injury.

"At the moment the players wouldn?t be fit to play, but there?s a few days to go and we?ll see how they are later in the week," added McNally.

"Jamie Rooney trained with us today but he hasn?t played for six weeks so we?ll assess him too."

Meanwhile, Hull Director of Rugby Shaun McRae expects to have stand-off and acting captain Paul Cooke and second rower Shayne McMenemy back from injury for the match.

McRae is expecting a tough encounter against the Wildcats.

He said: "We?ve played them three times this year, and whilst we have come out the victors, they have all been very competitive matches and could have gone either way.

"I think Wakefield are a great example of the club which has shown patience in its rebuilding.

"They have a terrific offence and their defence has improved dramatically this year, and they thoroughly deserve to be here" added McRae.

The second Elimination Play-Off takes place on Saturday night at JJB Stadium and host club Wigan Warriors are boosted by the return of Great Britain winger Brian Carney.

Front rower Danny Sculthorpe, younger brother of St Helens captain Paul, is also available after missing the last three months with a knee injury.

St Helens Head Coach Ian Millward, who left seven players out in last Friday?s final Regular season game against the Bulls, told the press conference that his side will be at full strength.

"Everybody in the squad is fit for selection," he said. "I will have some selection headaches."

Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls have the week off before meeting head on in the Qualifying Semi-Final at Headingley Stadium the following week.