HULL KR head coach Craig Sandercock is hopeful vice-captain Kris Welham will be fit for the visit of Wakefield on Sunday as the Robins look to bounce back from three straight defeats.
Welham hasn't featured for the Robins since injuring his shoulder in the bruising 26-18 Challenge Cup win over St Helens on April 20.
Welham's regular left-side partner, winger Dave Hodgson, is a doubt as he continues to suffer from a dislocated finger sustained in the cup defeat to Wigan last Sunday.
"We are hoping Kris Welham might be available, and if that is the case it will be a big boost because we are a better team with him playing," Sandercock said.
"He's in our leadership group and he's a good player. Any good players that are due to come back are really important for us.
"Dave Hodgson has got a pretty badly dislocated finger which is cut open so there's a bit of floating bone in there.
"We'll look at him on Saturday morning, but he's touch and go for the Wakefield game."
Sandercock admits Sunday's clash against the Wildcats takes on extra significance given Richard Agar's men are just one place, and one point, behind them on the Super League ladder.
"Every game is a big game but obviously if teams are close to us on the ladder it's even more important for us to secure a win," he said.
"It's important for us to get the two points and play good rugby.
"They're a good side. Tim Smith is probably their main man, but I like their wingers who give them strike power. They also take a lot of pressure off the forwards because they carry the ball really well.
"We're just training hard and trying to work on aspects of our game.
"It's just about trying to make sure we pick up on a few things about them which we have, so hopefully we can take advantage of that."
