WIDNES Vikings can call on a host of experienced players when they kick off their battle for Super League survival on Friday.

Rhys Hanbury, Lloyd White, Chris Houston, Rangi Chase and Chris Bridge are all back in the mix for the opening Qualifiers clash at home to Warrington.

It will be a much-changed Vikings squad to the one that was downed in their last outing in the final game of the regular season.

And coach Denis Betts is banking on that extra bit of guile and nous to see them off to a good start.

Betts said: “We have had a good week’s training and we are trying to reset ourselves in the language that we have used.

“We have had a mini pre-season and then a four day block of training off site which gave us a different focus.”

Having 22 of the top 25 squad available is a huge bonus.

They will be missing Alex Gerrard, who is serving a two-match suspension and Aaron Heremaia, classed as unlikely to play in the qualifiers.

Vikings will play the other bottom four Super League clubs and the top four from the Championship.

The top three after the seven rounds will retain their top-flight status, with the teams finishing fourth and fifth playing off for the last spot in the million pound match.

“A win in the first round gets things moving and that’s a really important two points.

“But Warrington will be thinking the same as us.

“We are at home, which is a real advantage, so a start is really important to us and getting a win is our main focus.

“Warrington are a good side but when we have played them this year we have had a young side out and although we have been enthusiastic we have lacked composure and a bit rugby smarts,” he said.