Head-to-head: Joe Westerman v Danny Washbrook
If there was a poll for Hull FC's player of the season over the opening three months, there would likely be several contenders.
But while captain Gareth Ellis has been outstanding in games and the likes of Jamie Shaul have sparkled at times, nobody has managed to match Joe Westerman's consistency.
The loose forward is playing his best rugby since arriving at Hull, revelling in the responsibility and role handed to him by Lee Radford.
For those that place an emphasis on statistics, Westerman's record on tackles made, carries and metres made puts him high in the top 10 in Super League.
But more than that, his presence and involvement has been vital with much more of Hull's attack coming through Westerman's hands.
Danny Washbrook plays in a slightly different style for the Wildcats, but is also a key part of their defence and attack.
The former Hull man has been employed in a more wide role recently after an injury to Ali Lauitiiti, but could be back at loose forward tomorrow.
Washbrook has been an important figure for Wakefield since his arrival and continues to be one of their more consistent performers.
His battle against Westerman will be intriguing.
Wakefield form guide Richard Agar's team head to the KC Stadium on the back of a poor run of results that has left them out of the cup and in a relegation dogfight. Six successive defeats have made back-to-back wins in early March seem like a distant memory. Having ended their winning run with a narrow home loss to St Helens in a game they could have won, Wakefield have found it much more difficult of late. Hull KR, Leeds and Castleford all put over 40 points on them before Huddersfield won 36-16 last time out.
James Smailes' preview CALLING an end to his final training session before naming his squad for tomorrow's game, Lee Radford stood pitchside with assistant Andy Last. While the pair discussed the morning's events, playing out in the background was what appeared to be a contest to catch the coach's eye. Staying out on the field, Jordan Rankin was running plays on his own, visualising moves. Meanwhile, Jacob Miller was practising his place kicking, Josh Bowden was doing extra sprints and many others were doing extras. It's common place after training, but with competition for places fiercer than at any other point this season, anyone watching couldn't help but feel the players were taking every opportunity to try and force Radford's hand. With Tom Lineham the only senior squad member not fully fit, the players know Radford's decision this week on which 17 players face Wakefield is the toughest he's had. The difficulty for those left out, is the fact they know a good display tomorrow by those who feature is likely to mean they'll keep the shirt and a prolonged absence from the team could follow. Who got the shirt out of Hull's three half-backs was a tough decision, with Richard Horne omitted. There's many other key decisions to make, one of which is the right-wing berth. Jason Crookes has had a torrid time with injuries since arriving at Hull, but the ex-Bradford man is fit again and in contention to play tomorrow. Crookes brings the pace out wide Hull have lacked and is yet to fulfil his potential. There's a good player there and a long run in the side maybe just what he needs. One thing is for certain, if those picked don't meet Radford's standards against Wakefield, there's plenty of replacements waiting in the wings for an opportunity.
