STEVE Price says he is pleased with how his Warrington Wolves side are progressing with ball in hand.

The Wire’s attack has come in for criticism over the past two seasons but after five rounds of this year’s Super League, they are the competition’s leading point scorers with 144.

While it is still early days, Price is happy not just with that but how his side’s game as a whole is coming along.

After a slightly longer turnaround than usual leading into Monday’s clash with Huddersfield Giants, the Wire boss says the squad have had the opportunity to “freshen up” before a busy period of games.

“I’m sure a number of clubs are picking up a few niggles,” he said.

“The longer turnaround has probably come at a good time for people to freshen up and go again.

“I’m really pleased with how the boys have been progressing over the last couple of weeks. There’s a lot of pressure from the guys outside the 17 to get back in.

“We’re hitting some good markers but we’ve got to keep improving.

“We’re number one in points scored so I’m pleased with how that’s progressing.

“With our effort areas defensively, the boys are working really hard for each other.”

With both Daryl Clark and Stefan Ratchford expected to be fit to play in the first match in front of fans at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in over a year, Price has just two players unavailable to him.

Daryl Clark is expected to be fit after picking up a pectoral muscle injury in the Challenge Cup win over Catalans. Picture by SWPix.com

Daryl Clark is expected to be fit after picking up a pectoral muscle injury in the Challenge Cup win over Catalans. Picture by SWPix.com

Captain Jack Hughes misses out through suspension while Matty Ashton will be a long-term absentee after having ankle surgery on Tuesday – he is expected to miss three months of action.

Ian Watson’s Giants lost their opening four Super League games but picked up their first victory last time out – a 14-13 win over Leeds Rhinos at the John Smith’s Stadium.

They also pushed St Helens all the way in the Challenge Cup quarter finals last week before eventually succumbing to defeat.

With that in mind, Price is expecting nothing less than a tough game when the Yorkshiremen visit The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

“They challenge you all over the park,” he said of the Giants, who have not beaten The Wire away from home since 2015.

“They’re a quality team – over the past three weeks they have started to play some really good footy.

“They are working hard for each other so it’s going to be a really tough game.

“They’ve got a quality team there and just fell short last week against the front-runners in St Helens.”

The return of scrum-half Aidan Sezer from injury has signalled a slight upturn in fortunes for Watson’s men and Price says his side will have to be wary of his influence.

Aidan Sezer. Picture by SWPix.com

Aidan Sezer. Picture by SWPix.com

“He’s a good player and their main orchestrator. He was certainly missed by them earlier on in the season,” he said.

“We’re going to have to be on high alert around him and the rest of their players.”