How Wakefield Trinity plan to keep their key players fit in 2021

SIDELINED: David Fifita is helped from the field after sustaining a lengthy injury in 2019. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Chris Chester's side have endured a difficult two years on the field, with injuries to key men playing a part in their struggles.

Head coach Chester and his staff have changed their pre-season programme to try and make sure they are not plagued by injuries next season.

There has been a greater focus on skill work and Chester feels the signs are positive as Wakefield prepare for their Super League opener against Leeds Rhinos on March 27.

PREPARATION: Wakefield Trinity are doing all they can to try and cut down on the number of injuries next year, says head coach Chris Chester. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

"We have changed our whole pre-season. Instead of flogging the guys endlessly on the pitch we are doing a lot more skill in the wrestle room and on the pitch," said Chester.

"Everything is more individual in regards with the programs.

"We have done a lot of work with the edges separately and the middles separately. There are lots of things.

"We have based our pre-season around moving well, especially for the middle guys it has been about getting off the ground quickly.

"We have lots of drills surrounding conditioning. There has been a real freshness to this pre-season and it has been good. It has been tough as well.

"The proof will be in the pudding and we will see how we go but the signs are really positive."

Wakefield have signed former NRL player Mason Lino to fill the void left by Super League veteran Danny Brough, who has joined Bradford Bulls.

Brough spent much of 2020 on the sidelines due to an injury he sustained before Covid-19 brought the season to a halt.

Chester feels that Lino's presence will have a hugely-positive impact on captain Jacob Miller, who only played five games with his regular half-back partner last year.

"It is really important that we get that spine working well together," added Chester.

"Last year, Milky only played five games with Broughy who he had trained with all pre-season.

"In that respect, he is going to be happy that he will have somebody to get the team around the park and leave Milky to play his usual role on that left edge.

"They are working well together. There are a lot of guys training really hard and who will give me some food for thought when the season starts."