CRISIS club Wigan will have two new faces in their team as they look to stop the rot against engage Super League champions Bradford at Odsal tonight.

Coach Ian Millward gives a debut to Salford second-rower Tim Jonkers and will also include latest capture Oliver Wilkes once the paperwork goes through.

Wigan have agreed a fee with Whitehaven for the former Giants and Leigh forward, pictured below, who was in the Centurions' National League Grand Final-winning team of 2004 and made 14 appearances for them in Super League last season.

Whitehaven rejected Wigan's initial move for the 25-year-old Wilkes, but relented when their offer was improved to what they say was a `considerable five-figure sum.'

Spokesman John Cox said: "Oliver will be sorely missed, but Whitehaven have strength in depth and the coach will fill the gap."

With four first-choice regulars injured, the newcomers go straight in at the deep end, trying to lift a Wigan side that has won just one of their opening six games, the club's worst start to a season since 1980 when they suffered the ignominy of relegation.

The Warriors are seeking to avoid losing four successive league matches for the first time since 1985 when they recovered to finish third and win the Challenge Cup at Wembley.

Millward will hope that is a lucky omen, but if they lose by 11 points or more, they will sink to the foot of the table for what is believed to be the first time in the club's history.

Bulls boss Brian Noble is putting his side on their guard, insisting: "Wigan will improve, make no mistake about that. We have to make sure that it isn't this week."

Bradford have suffered a major injury blow of their own, with Great Britain international Paul Deacon having undergone facial surgery for the second time in three months.

Deacon had to have major surgery and plates inserted in his face in December after it was shattered by a tackle from New Zealand centre Nigel Vagana but this time he has undergone a minor operation.

Former Giants ace Stanley Gene is likely to partner skipper Iestyn Harris, who has recovered from an arm injury that curtailed his involvement in last week's defeat at leaders St Helens.

The undefeated Saints, meanwhile, will look for their first win in five attempts at the KC Stadium tonight.