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Widnes will be without centre Charly Runciman and prop Alex Gerrard for their pre-season friendly against Halifax on Sunday (Select Security Stadium, 3pm).

Australian Runciman joined the Vikings for last season’s Qualifiers and played a full part in helping the club maintain its Super League status.

However, a finger injury sustained in training means he is unlikely to figure until the Vikings’ first competitive match of the season at Wakefield on Sunday, February 7.

Local boy Gerrard has a knee injury and is racing against time for the big kick-off.

Widnes fielded an Academy selection in their 34-8 win at Newcastle Thunder last weekend but this week’s line-up will have more of a first-team look about it.

Closed season signings Chris Bridge and Setaimata Sa are set to make their debuts in the black & white while Corey Thompson will make his second appearance after a brief outing in the Festive Friendly against Warrington.

Widnes assistant-coach Brett Hodgson said “We’ll probably carry a few reserves as well but ideally we’d like to give our first team starters a run-out this weekend, perhaps not for the full 80 minutes but progressing towards playing a full 80 minutes against St Helens next week.

“Charly’s had a finger operation which won’t be keeping him out for too long but he won’t be there this weekend.

“Alex Gerrard has a slight knee complaint as well but nearly everyone else will be avaialable for selection.

“Charly will definitely be fit for the start of the season and Alex is progressing nicely.

“Corey played a little bit against Warrington and will definitely play this week.

“Bridgey is progressing very well and has had a great pre-season.

“The skill elements he has is something new to our squad which is great. I’m looking forward to him getting out there and playing some footy this year.

“We’ve got some strike in the centres now which we wanted to build on from last season.

“Setaimata Sa is training well too so he’s ready to go.

“We’ve worked harder than we did in the pre-season last year and I think our squad has more class this season and the ability to break down teams better.

“We let some players go in the off-season but we’ve brought in some quality.

“We’ve now got an element of that next level of player which can hopefully take us to that next level in the Super League.”

Another man to come into contention this week is back-rower Connor Farrell who has joined the club on a season-long loan from Wigan Warriors.

The Vikings last played Halifax in last season’s Qualifiers and after a scoreless first half gained a hard-fought 14-0 win at The Shay.