WIGAN coach Eric Hughes is preparing for a dog-fight when his side line-up against struggling Paris tomorrow night.

The Warriors have been forced to field a much weakened three-quarter line and will be up against a side desperate for points to avoid the drop.

"Paris are involved in a relegation battle and will give it all they have got. Also they are team of Aussies and it will not be easy.," said Hughes.

"Ideally I would liked to have fielded my strongest side but it gives the youngsters the chance to come of age.

"Last week was a below par performance and we fell away badly. This is a different game, different team and a different challenge. We have the youngsters in the backs but we have an experienced pack which can lay a solid platform."

Hughes needa morale boosting win after the disappoitning show last week against London Broncos as the Paris game is the last before the retun games in the Vias World Club Championship.

Wigan, already without Gary Connolly and Jason Robinson who are on duty for the Rest of the World against the ARL, will be without Paul Koloi (ribs), Andy Johnson (hamstring) and Darryl Cardiss (illness).

Nigel Wright returns at stand-off after recovering from a groin strain but Hughes has been forced to draft in Danny Ellison and Paul Johnson on the wings and Lee Gilmour in the centre.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.