James Lowes and Steve McNamara were at the heart of the all-conquering Bradford Bulls team of 1997, but there will be little comradeship between the pair this evening as the race for the engage Super League play-offs places enters the home straight. Lowes, the Warrington Wolves coach, has steered his team to four wins from five matches since Paul Cullen's departure in May and his team will leapfrog Wigan Warriors into fourth place if they beat the Bulls.

However, the former Bradford and Great Britain hooker insists that the Wolves are far from the finished article. “We won't worry about the play-offs just yet,” Lowes said. “We've got a a lot of hard work to do before we can even think about them. It's a week-to-week thing at the moment.”

Lowes's attempt to deflect attention from the resurgent Wolves has put more focus on McNamara, whose beleaguered Bradford team have lost four of their past six league matches, including a surprise 25-24 defeat away to Huddersfield Giants on Sunday. A defeat this evening would allow Wakefield Wildcats to jump into the top six, if they overcome Hull tomorrow, and McNamara is aware of the pressure.

“If we won there [away to Warrington], then it would send a message out about us,” McNamara said. “We are a better side than we have shown and this game would be a good time to perform. We have seven games left and, while we are not in the position we would like, we are in the top six and we want to maintain that spot.”

Paul Deacon's return from a hamstring injury will reinforce the Bulls in the absence of Sam Burgess (shoulder), Terry Newton (leg) and Paul Sykes (suspension).

St Helens and Leeds Rhinos will be expected to record comfortable victories against lowly Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield respectively in this evening's other matches. Leeds are grateful for Kevin Sinfield's recovery from a knee injury, and Clinton Toopi has overcome a shoulder problem. He is ready for his first appearance since February's World Club Challenge triumph over Melbourne Storm. Ali Lauitiiti, the Leeds second-row forward, has also given the club some good news by agreeing a new two-year contract that ties him to Headingley until the end of 2010.