RYAN Atkins hopes to give Warrington Wolves fans a taste of some new plays he and Chris Sandow have conjured up when Wigan visit tomorrow, Friday.

The centre, who concedes reaching the play-offs this season is unlikely, is working on combinations with Wolves' new boy in training.

Though Atkins admits they are yet to get the green light from head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith.

“We’ve come up with some new little plays and maybe we’ll try some out at the weekend,” said the 29-year-old former Wakefield man.

“But I’m not sure Tony will be too pleased! If they work they’ll look great, if not one of us will be chasing back as they’ll have the ball.

“He (Sandow) takes it in his stride. He’s a great little character and has really lifted us in training. He’s a jovial kind of guy and it’s brought out the best of everyone else at training.

“Everyone’s got smiles on their faces where we could have all been down in the dumps – he’s the little joker in the pack now to go with the likes of Matty Russell.

“It’s always tough for a half to get thrown in at the deep and expect them to set the world on fire, but the things he does in training are unbelievable and it’s only a matter of time until he takes it on to the field.

“He’s got to get used to the players around him and the way we play.”

Atkins has even given Sandow the benefit of the doubt over his ‘pie-smashing’ antics this week.

“It was a bit cheesy,” he laughed. “But it’s good and anything like that is new to the game and gets some great some exposure, whether it’s good or bad.

“I like the concept and it fits with him perfectly because that’s the sort of person he is. It’s some great forward thinking by the club to build this game up.”

However, the two-time Challenge Cup winner admits he is eyeing the off-season as a chance to fix up several injuries, having played through the pain barrier in recent weeks.

“The strapping the physio is putting on you is literally holding you together,” he explained.

“I’ve still got a cracked sternum, a little tear in my hamstring, my ankle is not so good and the glute is not so good.

“I’ll see what the surgeons and specialists say but that’s part and parcel of the job. We put our bodies on the line and you expect to get these injuries.

“It’s just a matter of grinning and bearing it and then seeing all the players from other clubs in the recovery room after your operation!”

Wigan are a side Atkins looks forward to facing no matter what is riding on the game, but he is frustrated Warrington look set to miss out on a shot at the Grand Final.

“With the situation now, although it’s mathematically possible, we’re under no illusion that we may miss out,” he explained.

“As a group it’s about finishing the season on a high and the first thing on the agenda is Wigan at home. It’s a massive match and a winnable one as well.

“We played them at home recently and beat them.

“We’re not all down in the dumps, we did sulk a little bit after the game but we’re back to it now. We’ve had a great week’s training and we’re looking forward to the game on Friday.

“It’s not been the season we wanted. We’ve lacked consistency and maybe not been the Warrington team of old and what everybody has expected us to be like.

“I couldn’t say why that has been, if I knew that it would be easy to fix. It’s been a tough one for us as players and the fans and coaching staff.

“If we can get a few wins in these games we can finish on a positive."

And, with Sandow set to be joined by arrivals Kurt Gidley, Jack Hughes and Tom Lineham in primrose and blue next season, Atkins is impressed by the club's business.

“The players we’ve brought in are top class and that’s what you would expect Warrington to do, bring in the best of the best,” he said.

“Tony and Simon Moran haven’t disappointed. They’ve definitely put their money where their mouth is and it’s just a case of us players hitting the heights we should be.

“I’m pretty happy with the squad for next season but obviously there’ll be players going.

“The main thing is to send out the likes of (Richie) Myler and big Roy Asotasi on a high and let them have some good memories of Warrington rather than their last season being not so positive.”