Estimated salary cap value of three Super League stars from Sky Sports pundits

There is a lot of talk at the moment about potential signings and players’ value as clubs juggle the salary cap to bring in new stars for next year.

Sky Sports’ Brian Carney, Jon Wilkin and Jamie Jones-Buchanan added their two cents to the matter last night predicting the value of three players.

Wilkin firstly picked out Leeds Rhinos star suggesting his value could be as high as £125,000 but that could be a little steep for clubs to take a punt on a player who has been in and out of the Leeds side with injuries and suspensions:

“It’s not necessarily that he’s a great pick-up for other teams but I just think that he signed from St Helens for Leeds at the peak of his powers, he was in exceptional form.

“I just think that since he’s gone to Leeds it’s really not gone that well for him, he’s had a number of disciplinary issues and some injuries so maybe his market value isn’t the £125,000 that we’ve estimated but I sense an opportunity for a team.

“If you want a competitor, you need an element of grit, resilience and determination in your team, a strong and reliable back-rower then I think James Bentley could be a steal for somebody.

“I don’t think he’s going to command the price that he did when he went from St Helens to Leeds but there’s certain teams in this competition who will relish a James Bentley in their team.

“I think he leaves Headingley for a Huddersfield or a Wigan, that gritty sort of culture built on defence then he’s your man.”

Brian Carney then backed Daryl Clark to move to St Helens for £140,000: “I’ve picked Daryl Clark who may seem an obvious one. All the reports say that he’s on his way to St Helens to replace the great James Roby, if you can indeed replace the irreplaceable man who is set to retire at the end of the season.

“We’ve estimated his salary cap value at £140,000, of course a marquee player in his time, we know what he can do. You’ve got an issue when James Roby leaves your club but if Daryl Clark replaces him then the loss is less keenly felt.”

Wilkin added: “He’s a dangerous ball carrier, when you play on the front foot he’s an outstanding player to have in your team.

“I don’t think he carries the same gravitas as James Roby but without doubt he’d be a great signing for any Super League club.”

Lastly Jamie Jones-Buchanan said clubs should look to pull of a steal and sign Wakefield Trinity’s Mason Lino for £80,000.

“I thought he was outstanding last year Mason Lino. Wakefield have not been that enterprising with ball in hand this year but when they have been he’s been all over it.

“93 appearances and 29-years-old, he’s got a lot of miles and experience in him. A salary cap of £80,000 that is an absolute steal.

“He’s not a guy who is putting the cue down.”