Gregory earns Powell praise

Gregory has made a big impression in charge of Wigan

Leeds Rhinos coach Daryl Powell believes his opposite number Mike Gregory should get the Wigan coaching job on a permanent basis.

The Warriors have put together a 10-match unbeaten run since Gregory succeeded Stuart Raper in July.

But Gregory still goes into Friday's Grand Final eliminator against Leeds uncertain about his future.

"I think he deserves to be given the job for the work he's done," Powell said.

"He's obviously got the confidence of the players, who are working hard for him.

"He's done everything that could be asked of him."

Friday night's match could be the last in charge for whoever loses, with Powell moving up to the post of director of rugby to make way for the arrival of Tony Smith from Huddersfield.

The winners face the Bradford Bulls at Old Trafford on Saturday week

It's vitally important that young people are coming through, whether you're coaching or playing. Leeds coach Daryl Powell

Powell, who has championed the cause of the British coach, is pleased by the plethora of promising talent emerging in the British game, particularly through the Leeds and Wigan clubs.

"It's a big advance from what it used to be, not too long ago," he said, referring to the situation two years ago when each of the 12 Super League clubs had an overseas head coach.

"I just think it's good for the game, as is the amount of players that have come through this year. It shows that there is talent in this country and confidence in the people running the game in this country.

"It's good that young people are coming through, whether you're coaching or playing, it's vitally important."

Powell has set his sights on the Grand Final

Powell has yet to decide whether to play 19-year-old prop forward Ryan Bailey on Friday, just five days after coming out of a Young Offenders' Institute.

Bailey, who served two months for his part in a Leeds city-centre brawl, trained with his team-mates for the second time today.

"He's a little bit rusty but he will benefit from the last couple of training sessions," said Powell. "We'll see how he is over the next couple of days.

It's a possibility that he will play, we'll just have a look at him and see how he is."

Powell admitted that Bailey's prospects would improve if fellow front rower Barrie McDermott fails to recover from an ankle injury but said the veteran prop has a "pretty good chance" of playing.