WARRINGTON Wolves are about to embark on the toughest stage of their season.

Tomorrow, they face big Super League play-off rivals Huddersfield Giants at the McAlpine knowing victory is vital if they are to keep their top-six hopes alive.

But even that may not save them from missing out on a place in the top half of the table.

Last week's defeat at another play-off chasing side, Wakefield, means the Wolves are three points behind Trinity and five behind the sixth-placed Giants.

And with matches against Bradford Bulls (twice), Leeds, St Helens and Wigan still to come, it's not looking good for coach Paul Cullen's men.

But the Warrington chief has made it clear his club intend to battle on until the bitter end.

"We knew from day one we faced a tough run-in," said Cullen. We'll happy to live with this and I'm confident we will give a good account of ourselves from now on in."

Cullen will be without Nat Wood (ankle) and Mark Hilton (shoulder) who picked up knocks at Wakefield, but welcome back Graham Appo.

Huddersfield Giants: Reilly, O'Hare, Bailey, Nero, Evans, St Hilaire, Donlan, Costin,March, Fleary, Penkywicz, Gannon, Jones, Smith, Roarty, Grayshon, Slicker, Crabtree, White.

Warrington Wolves: Cardiss, Hulse, Sibbit, Grose, Westwood, Gaskell, Briers, Appo, Leikvoll, Clarke, Gleeson, Stevens, Lima, Wood, (P), Guisset, Forshaw, Wainwright, Burns.

Referee: Ronnie Laughton (Barnsley).