Cooke confident Hull can stay on boil for play-off

Far from fearing that they might still be suffering from a Cup hangover, though, Hull's playmaker Paul Cooke believes the triumph at Cardiff should lift them. "Some of our fans might think that our season has already been a success, but we can't afford to think that way," he said yesterday.

Hull will be aided in that effort by the return of Richard Horne from injury and Kirk Yeaman from suspension, although Sione Faumuina is out. Warrington add Ben Westwood and Michael Wainwright to the side that won the contest between the two clubs last week.

Cooke is one who does not accept the general view that Johns had a subdued game when they met at the KC Stadium eight days ago. "Unless you were actually on the pitch you wouldn't realise what he did, but I was listening to the way he organised them," he said. "We lost that night, but we've got to be confident that we can go there and beat them."

Castleford travel to Whitehaven tomorrow for the biggest game in the National League One season so far, with the winners going straight to the Grand Final that will open the door to Super League. Whitehaven have their influential Australian half-back Joel Penny fully fit after a calf problem, while Cas have the veteran Adrian Vowles back in their squad after his return from Australia, even though their coach, Dave Woods, says he is not certain to select him.

Hull KR and Halifax are in the sudden-death play-off. Rovers' long-serving forward, Paul Fletcher, who was released in mid-season, is to play with Sheffield next year.