Wakefield Trinity are on the verge of something special in only their season back in the top-flight, but coach Daryl Powell says short-term targets remain top priority.

A win at Bradford Bulls tomorrow (Thursday) would leave Trinity second in Betfred Super League, two points behind Leeds Rhinos. Currently third, trailing Wigan Warriors on for and against, they are four points clear of seventh-placed Warrington Wolves, but Powell reckons a play-off spot isn’t yet secure.

“There’s loads of water to go under the bridge,” Powell insisted. “We are not even thinking about that, if we thought that way it would be crazy. I think the only team who could maybe start thinking like that are Leeds, but if you drop off a cliff you are in trouble.

“For us, we have just got to keep chalking wins off because it’s not just the top-six, it’s where do you want to finish in there if you are good enough to make it? There’s benefits for being higher up the table, so you want to make sure you get that right.”

Wakefield Trinity's Seth Nikotemo. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Wakefield Trinity's Seth Nikotemo. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Teams finishing third or fourth earn a home tie in the play-offs and that is in Trinity’s own hands. First or second, meaning a week off at the start of the post-season campaign before a semi-final on their own ground, is well within reach, however Powell stressed: “We have got a difficult finish to the season and some really big games.

“If we make it to the six, I think we will be tuned up because we’ve got some big games coming up at home against top-six teams. It is quite intriguing to see where it is all going to pan out.

“We just need to keep chalking wins off and keep playing to our potential. If players keep getting better, I feel there’s still growth within us individually and collectively, then I think we’ll be fine.”

Wakefield Trinity coach Daryl Powell seen after last week's victory at Hull KR. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Bulls are on the back of a 30-14 win at Huddersfield Giants last Friday, while Trinity were 20-6 victors away to the champions the following day. “Last week was great for us mentally, to go to Hull KR and win,” Powell reflected. “That was a big one for us, they hadn’t lost there for over a full year and hadn’t been kept tryless for more than 10 years - that’s a decent effort.”

Centre Corey Hall has been drafted into Trinity’s initial squad following injury, but isn’t expected to play. “He’s getting pretty close, if it’s not this week it will be next week,” Powell said.

With Mason Lino and Jack Sinfield on the casualty list, hooker Tyson Smoothy could continue at scrum-half. Forward Jordan Williams is also in contention after playing on loan for Batley Bulldogs last weekend. Full-back Max Jowitt and New Zealand forward Seth Nikotemo, who were unused reserves at Hull KR, drop out. Powell explained: “Seth has had to go home for a private matter.

“Max is going to play in reserves against Wigan this weekend. There’s no specific reason, apart from the team is going well and at the moment Josh Rourke is ahead of Max.”

Max Jowitt will play for Wakefield Trinity's reserves this weekend. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Bradford Bulls: from Ackers, Aekins, Armitage, Atkin, Blake, Dean, Doro, Fulton, Gardiner, Hooley, Lewis, Mellor, Nikorima, Ormondroyd, Peposhi, Russell, Ryan, Scurr, Souter, Sutton, Wynne.

Wakefield Trinity: from Scott, Hall, Johnstone, Trueman, McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Storton, Tevaga, Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili, Smith, Vagana, Walmsley, Myers, Rourke, Lolesio, Williams, Lawford, Tate.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths (Widnes). Kick-off: Thursday, 8pm.