PETER Gentle says Richard Agar's Wakefield side pose a real threat to Hull FC's Challenge Cup dreams.
And the Aussie coach has warned his players to be prepared for the toughest of contests as they attempt to move into the last eight and take a big step closer to Wembley.
Hull have not beaten a Super League team in the cup since their 2008 semi-final victory against Wakefield, a game that saw Agar lead Hull to Wembley in his first campaign in charge.
Hoping to end that run, the Black and Whites are aiming for a second quarter-final appearance in the last three years, but Gentle has warned of the dangers ahead.
"It is going to be tough. Wakefield have named a very strong squad and they are playing well if you look over the last month," he said.
"They've only been beaten by Warrington and Wigan and they were in those two games. Their form has been good and they'll be a real challenge for us.
"They are threatening across the park with Tim Smith and their back three playing very well for them. If Tim Smith and Paul Aiton get on the front foot they cause teams a lot of trouble. Defensively, we have to get that side of our game in order."
Hull have already tasted victory against the Wildcats this season, winning the Easter Monday game in relative comfort.
But, pointing to the slow nature of the Easter Monday fixture, Gentle is not looking at the past contest as any sort of indicator.
Hull have turned around their form since Easter, using the Wakefield win as a launch pad for five wins in their last six games.
But they'll have to face the Wildcats without in-form second-row Joe Westerman.
Despite initial hopes the player would be fit to return to action after his dislocated thumb was put back in place following the win over London, surgery was needed to rule Westerman out for four weeks.
"We have Danny Tickle, Ben Galea and Joe Westerman out now, three players that would probably get in any back row in the competition," added Gentle.
"Joe has been very good for us this year and will definitely be missed."
Westerman's place in the 19-man squad for Friday's cup tie has been taken by Jason Crookes, in the only change from last week.
Hull FC squad: Bowden, Briscoe, Crookes, Crooks, Ellis, Green, Holdsworth, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Lineham, Lynch, McDonnell, O'Meley, Pitts, Watts, Whiting, Yeaman
