CHRIS Bridge’s experience may be just what is needed at Widnes this year as they come to terms with the sale of Kevin Brown and the pre-season injury sustained by Joe Mellor.

Although coach Denis Betts has had Danny Craven running alongside Tom Gilmore in the halves, the maturity of the former Warrington utility man may be just what the Vikings need in the middle, particularly until Mellor returns.

The 32-year-old has sat out the pre-season friendlies but he is fit and raring to go for the start of the Super League campaign.

Bridge said: “I will be sweet and am looking forward to the start of the season.

“We started well last year and are looking to do that again. We need a big start.”

As for where he plays, Bridge is open-minded about whether he runs at centre or at six but will put his hand up for either role.

Bridge said: “I will play wherever Denis tells me to.

“I played up to the age of 24 at half back and then moved to the centres.

“To me it is not a big issue. If he needs me to play there I will.

“There are quite a few experienced players here, but if I can help I will. “ He has every faith in Tom Gilmore at seven, a player given a vice-captaincy role under the new team leadership group.

Bridge said: “Gilly is a big talker with loads of confidence, so hopefully he will go well and take his chance.

“That is what it is about.

“He is not that young but has waited for his chance and deserves it – he loves the club and the town. I really do hope he takes it with both hands.”

Bridge, who signed a two-year deal at Widnes after a long spell at Warrington, had his debut campaign cut short with injury.

He is hoping to stay fit in the upcoming season after admitting to being frustrated by niggles.

Bridge said: “I will just be looking for a good run of games. Playing is the easy bit, it is just getting my body right to play.

“The little niggles do my head in. Injuries are about luck and hopefully I will have some this year.

“Last year I was loving it and really enjoying my rugby more than for a few years and then for the injury to happen was a bit of a freak.

“It was really frustrating for me as I thought I had played really well at the start of the year.

“I was forming a good partnership with Corey and Joe on our side and then I had a problem with my neck, which meant I was out for a few games, and then days before the Warrington game I was struggling to walk.

“But instead of missing the game I tried to tough it out and play anyway, when with hindsight I should have listened to my body and sat it out.

“When scanned it was soon realised that I have got an extra muscle in my calf that only a few people have, and that is what was rubbing against my Achilles, which was giving me the pain. It was just one of those things, but I am hoping I can get a good run of games this year.”