CHRIS Bridge admits he is having to dig deep to find form in his testimonial year after missing out on Warrington Wolves’ pre-season through injury.

The 30-year-old’s two tries in a loss at Wigan Warriors last Thursday were his first of the season, making his eighth competitive appearance since finding fitness following an abductor injury.

Bridge, whose only rugby in pre-season was a 25-minute run out during his testimonial against Hull KR, is confident he is now on track.

“I’ve been struggling this season,” he said. “It’s been a tough one for me. You realise how much you really miss a pre-season when you don’t have one. All the boys were way ahead.

“I’ve been struggling to find a bit of form and the team haven’t been playing the best. I’m trying to work hard and put those things right.

“I think I’m going in the right direction, but it’s been a tough one this year for me.”

The Wolves stalwart, who signed from Bradford in 2005, says previous dips in form during his career usually coincided with injuries.

“It’s not always been rosy, but before maybe I’ve had a few injuries and I’ve been having to play with them,” he explained.

“At the moment my body’s alright but things haven’t been clicking. Hopefully if I keep working hard things will turn around for me.”

Head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith turned to Bridge to solve Wolves’ half back problems in 2014, but the ex-Ireland and England international says he did not perform when handed that role this year.

“I went in but my form wasn’t the best,” he added. “I didn’t take my chance. I’ve been struggling for any kind of form.

“That’s all I’m really focusing on, getting a bit of form and helping the team get back on winning ways, hopefully we can get on a bit of a streak.”

Bridge hopes that streak can begin at Leeds Rhinos on Friday, but know Wolves must improve defensively if they are to beat the league leaders for a second time this year.

“The last couple of weeks we’ve been going in the right direction,” said Bridge. “Against Wigan we showed in parts what we can do.

“But we’re not doing them for as long a period of time as you need to do against top sides like Wigan – if you switch off for a couple of plays then good teams like that punish you, and they did do.

“Our D will have to be on like it was at The HJ. We did a bit of contact in training on Monday, so hopefully we can take that into the game on Friday and get another win against Leeds.

“We’re going to have to be on our best if we’re to beat them as their young lads and their old guys are all playing well. They're scoring a lot of points and not letting a lot in.”

Bridge will likely be up against the in-form Joel Moon, while his centre partner, recently Toby King, may face Kallum Watkins.

“I look at who I’m playing opposite and, along with most of the lads here, do a bit of video on them, so you know what you’re coming up against,” he said.

“I’ve played against him a lot of times so I know what to expect.”

Bridge added: “Toby’s a great, talented kid. He’s probably too good for the under 19s, but he’s still only a baby really.

“He’s taken his chance really well, he was awesome against Wakefield. Things didn’t quite go his way last week, but that’s all part of the learning curve and I’m sure he’ll grow better for it.

“I’m sure if he plays this week he’ll have a real good game.”