Matt Petersen struts his stuff out on the wing and goes by the nickname of “Sideshow Bob”, but John Kear, the Wakefield Wildcats coach, will be hoping that the 28-year-old blossoms into one of the club’s central figures after watching the United States player make his long-awaited debut last weekend.

Petersen is set for his home bow this evening, when Wakefield host Hull FC, who are also their opponents in an intriguing Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final in two weeks’ time. The bushy-haired flyer took only seven minutes to score his first try for his new club during Sunday’s defeat away to Warrington Wolves and looks poised to add extra firepower to a back line brimming with creativity.

With Wakefield pursuing a Wembley final and a place in the engage Super League play-offs, Petersen acknowledged that there is much to contemplate, but dismissed suggestions that this evening’s match will have a bearing on the cup encounter. “You’ve got to put that to one side,” he said. “You can get caught in the situation where, if you worry about the Challenge Cup, you end up losing this weekend.”

Kear’s team have only seven league matches remaining and will expect to beat Hull, who have managed only five wins in Super League XIII. The former England coach, whose reputation for getting the best out of underperforming players is legendary, was a key factor in Petersen’s decision to leave Australia’s Gold Coast for the bright lights of Wakefield.

“I was over here in November with the American team and was chatting to the club then,” Petersen said. “Nothing came of it at the time, but having seen them and having spoken to John Kear, I was impressed. Coming to England was something I always wanted to do and I just found John to be very honest, very up front and an easy guy to talk to.

“Half the battle when you go to a new club is whether you’re going to get on with the coach. I felt that was never going to be a problem coming here and that’s a really big help from the beginning.”

Petersen’s arrival coincides with Wakefield’s most important month for many years. Not only does the possibility of a Wembley final loom large, but the club are also anxiously awaiting the RFL’s announcement of the 14 successful Super League licence applicants for 2009. Belle Vue, Wakefield’s ground, is one of the worst in the top flight and there are nervous nights ahead before the governing body’s decision is made public.

“If you look after the results on the field, then stuff like that [Wakefield’s licence application] should just flow on automatically,” Petersen said. “We’re challenging for a top-six spot and we’re in a cup semi-final, so it should look after itself.”

Kear is delighted at concluding a deal for which Petersen agreed terms two months ago, but faced long delays surrounding his work permit and visa. “Matt’s arrived at a great time, as we make our final push for a top-six spot and with the semi approaching,” Kear said. “He’s fresh and raring to go and hopefully he can help conclude our season in a successful manner.”

Not that Hull will provide easy pickings this evening, with Richard Agar, their coach, making clear his assessment of his squad’s form. “We are in desperate need of trying to get a good win under our belts and re-establishing some confidence in ourselves,” he said. Petersen and the rest of the Wildcats can expect to have to get their claws out.