Crusaders aiming to cash in on Warriors problems.

Byline: Simon Kendal- Williams

CELTIC Crusaders's quest for the holy grail of a first engage Super League win reaches one of the biggest names in the sport tomorrow (3pm).

A match against Wigan Warriors at the JJB Stadium might seem the most unlikely place for the Crusaders to break their duck.

But all is far from well in the Wigan camp.

While the winless Crusaders prop up the table, you don't have to look too far up it to find Brian Noble's side, who have won just three of their opening 10 matches.

And two defeats over Easter period saw them crash to a 19-12 home defeat to leaders St Helens, which saw Wigan's fail to convert chances, and a 40-24 capitulation at Catalans Dragons - and that left Noble exasperated.

"We can't keep taking one step forwards and two backwards," he said.

"We've got a talented team and I'm confident we can make an impression if we learn the element of composure.

"We have to learn it quickly, though, because it is something you need in modern-day rugby league.

"I just hope the defeat at Catalans will prove to be a learning curve in the long run.

"Some of the younger blokes were fatigued, mentally not physically, so we'll need to take a look at that." Nor are the Wigan players underestimating the visit of John Dixon's side..

"This is a massive game for us," said utility back Cameron Phelps "The Crusaders are desperate for a win, and we've got to make sure we don't let them sneak up on us.

"Teams always raise their game against Wigan and we'll have to be on guard against them." Dixon admits his side's inability to get off the mark is starting to hurt.

"We're a professional footy team, we want to come through and we want to have some results here," he said.

"We'll tighten our belts, work a bit harder and go to Wigan looking for a result.

"We have to grasp the nettle when we go there and play.

"In our minds, we probably won't be playing against Wigan - we'll be playing against 17 players who, like us, are struggling at the wrong end of the table.

"But there is a far greater expectation on them than there is on us." The Crusaders will be again be without Jace van Dijk after the skipper picked up a knock during his comeback in Monday's 40-18 home defeat to Harlequins.

Full-back Tony Duggan (ankle) also misses out, but, like van Dijk, hopes to be back for next Sunday's visit of Castleford Tigers..

Matty Smith, Geraint Davies and Mark Lennon remain on the casualty list, but half-back Lincoln Withers returns.

Ben Flower and Jordan James are also added to the 19-man squad.

For Wigan, second rower Harrison Hansen misses out with a dead leg, while Phelps and Gareth Hock return after missing the defeat in France.

Wigan squad: A Roberts, G Carmont, P Richards, T Smith, T Leuluai, S Fielden, M Riddell, I Paleaaesina, G Hock, P Bailey, S O'Loughlin, J Tomkins, A Coley, M McIlorum, P Prescott, C Phelps, M Gleeson, S Tomkins, S Ainscough.

Crusaders: C Beasley, A Blackwood, M Bryant, N Budworth, M Chalk, J Chan, M Dalle Cort, L Dyer, B Flower, J Hannay, A James, J James, P Lupton, R O'Hara, A Peek, D Quinn, D Tangata-Toa, D Mapp, L Withers

CAPTION(S):

Cameron Phelps in action for the Bulldogs in Australia and (inset right) Wigan coach Brian Noble