Applegarth shuts the door on Luke Gale narrative as doubt remains over halfback

Wakefield Trinity host Hull FC on Thursday night as they seek their first win of the season and following a gutsy performance against Warrington but to some the script feels written for them going into Thursday night’s game.

It’s certainly getting to a point where Trinity could be cut adrift from the bottom of the table and two wins on the spin for fellow strugglers and Thursday’s opponents Hull FC makes this even more crucial.

Trinity battled hard with 12 men for the final 20 minutes against Warrington having gone in at the break drawing and that inspired performance could be a platform for them to build on and get their first two points of the season.

Mark Applegarth has named his squad for the game and again Luke Gale could be set to feature, and possibly even haunt his old side.

📋 Your Trinity squad for Thursday's home clash against @hullfcofficial!

🤝 @WDHcarelink pic.twitter.com/WcwLv9ZpmI

— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) May 9, 2023

Gale is one of two new signings during the season that could feature with full-back Will Dagger being the other man.

However, he was named in the squad last week but was left out to give him more time to settle.

Mark Applegarth has again cast doubt over any debut for the former Man of Steel and Leeds Rhinos skipper.

He said on BBC Radio Leeds:

“We will have to wait and see. I was really happy with Morgan Smith, he responded really well after the Leigh game.

“He has given us a headache because I always say if you do your job it is your shirt to lose so he has definitely given me a headache.

“We will see on Thursday.”

So there is no guarantee that Gale will debut against his former side.

This comes as Applegarth shut down a narrative building around the halfback:

“It would have a bit of extra meaning wouldn’t it? But it’s a bigger game than Luke Gale and Hull FC. It’s about the team.

“He’d be the first to put his hand up and say that it’s team first mentality. We will do what’s right for the team and not just the story with Luke playing against his old club.”