WIDNES Vikings play what is essentially a four-pointer against a Wakefield Trinity on Friday night at the Halton Stadium.

Trinity, who are six points ahead of them, are one of those teams that Vikings will have to catch to escape the bottom four.

Despite emerging with credit from the defeat at Magic against the leaders St Helens, that game adds to a list of eight consecutive defeats.

And only a victory can really turn around the club’s fortunes in this campaign.

Coach Denis Betts said: “We have just got to hold our form and keep doing the little things well and the tide will turn.

“That will only turn with a win.

“The results at the weekend have pushed us down, but it is still really tight.

“So when we play a side like Wakefield, who are in that mix, it is a big incentive for us.”

Vikings will be without full back Rhys Hanbury who has a slight tear of the hamstring.

He will be sidelined for three weeks, but the injury is not as bad as was first feared.

In other injury news prop Alex Gerard is still a doubt, but he was having a fitness test on a strained glute.

His possible absence will not be as serious an impact, according to Betts, given the way his side’s big men are playing.

“I am happy with the way our pack went - with Jay Chapelhow, Greg, Wellington, Macgraff and Hep all playing strong.

“They did a great job,” he said.

Vikings will be without centre Jimmy Keinhorst, who scored at Magic.

He has been recalled by Leeds after the season ending injury sustained by England centre Kallum Watkins.

“It is a bit of a blow because Jimmy was just finding his feet and was getting a bit of ball,” Betts said.

It will, however, give Ireland World Cup three-quarter Ed Chamberlain an opportunity.

Hanbury’s injury means a recall for Danny Craven at full back.

Aaron Heremaia will continue to partner Joe Mellor in the halves, with Betts having the confidence in his two young hookers Jordan Johnstone and Danny Walker.

They will be up against a Trinity side that has gone into a dip since beating Saints.

But they have bags of threat with pace to burn in the backline Ben Jones-Bishop, Mason Caton-Brown and Reece Lyne, and plenty of size up front.

The game is 8pm kick off.