MATTY Russell wants to put his pre-season teeth trauma behind him and set about helping Warrington Wolves improve on last year’s double semi-final frustration.

The full back was left grimacing after his temporary dentures twice snapped, first at the club’s Tenerife training camp, and then again when forcing him to leave the action during Sunday’s friendly with Toulouse.

Russell, aged 21, suffered the original injury in last year’s play-offs victory over Widnes Vikings and is still waiting on permanent replacements. But he hopes to be available for Salford’s visit on Saturday, February 7.

“I’m aiming to cement my place in the squad again,” said Super League’s top metre-maker last season.

“I’ve had a few setbacks and not trained as much as I would’ve liked to this off-season. Once I get these teeth sorted I’ll hopefully get my place back and go from there.

“Toulouse was a friendly and it was probably the best thing to come off, but if they want me to play a league game I’m happy to.

“I’ve been unlucky, in Tenerife as well, it’s just one of those situations. The temporary teeth are a bit fragile and it’s exposing my gums, but once the permanent ones are in they should be fine.”

Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith explained the delay in getting Russell’s permanent teeth inserted.

“They put screws into the bone, which he’s got in, so they’re ready for the more permanent ones,” said Smith.

“But they’ve got to wait for the bone to grow around the screws.”

Smith added: “I think he’ll be available for selection, but I don’t think he’ll have his permanent teeth in.

“If he gets them put in the day before we play, I probably won’t play him. If it’s the week after then it may be a different story.

“It’s a tough one for me to call, but I think he will be available.”

Despite being forced home early, Russell says he and the rest of the squad benefited from the trip to Tenerife.

“All the lads were digging in and we got a lot of skills work done,” he said. “We did double sessions, so we really gained from it.

“Even during the spare time, when people would normally go home, we were all together and having a laugh. We had meetings and talked about what we can do this season, so it’s always good being together for a week.”

Wolves’ new recruits have already made an impression on the Scotland international and he hopes they can help the side go a step further in both Super League and the Challenge Cup this year.

“We’ve got a young squad here,” added the former Gold Coast Titans player.

“We’ve brought in people like Gary Wheeler, Daryl Clark and Ashton Sims, who brings a bit of experience from the NRL.

“They’ve just fitted in really well. I’ve probably not seen anyone fit in as well as these three.

“We can learn from dropping out of those semi finals last year. It’s working around that and trying to get to the Grand Final and win the Challenge Cup.

“When we got knocked out of the Challenge Cup (to Leeds Rhinos) it wasn’t the best, but then it happened with the Super League (against Wigan Warriors) and we were really gutted.

"All the lads came together and said in 2015 we want to do better.”