Salford Red Devils will be looking to take another step towards sealing a spot in the Super League’s top six this evening. Paul Rowley’s side travel to the John Smith’s Stadium to take on Huddersfield Giants and after being thumped last time out by Catalans Dragons they’ll have a point to prove.
The Red Devils are sixth at present, but they have the opportunity to move six points clear of seventh, at least temporarily, with a win in West Yorkshire. Huddersfield, who will be coached by interim boss Luke Robinson following last week’s sacking of Ian Watson, are down in ninth and with 10 games to go, they have very little remaining to play for.
The Giants are 10 points adrift of the top six and even if they picked up a result against the Red Devils, a late play-off push looks unlikely at this point. The pressure is off in some respects then and Robinson will be keen to see improvements from his side after last week’s loss to Leigh Leopards.
Robinson has been able to name Kevin Naiqama and Leroy Cudjoe in his 21-man squad after their respective injuries, but it remains to be seen if they will feature for the home side this evening. However, the Giants have confirmed that they will be without both Luke Deakin and Seb Ikahihifo due to head knocks.
The pair join a list of absentees that includes Adam Swift (groin), Joe Greenwood (pec), Esan Marsters (knee), Connor Carr (ankle) and Jack Murchie (knee).
Rowley will be checking on the fitness of a couple of players too ahead of tonight’s game with the head coach naming Cade Cust and Nene Macdonald in his squad for the contest. Cust hasn’t featured for the Red Devils since May amid a calf issue, and while Macdonald was included included in last week’s squad to take on Catalans, he wasn’t deemed to be fit enough as he recovers from a quad problem.
Salford have seen Loghan Lewis drop out of the fold with concussion, while Tim Lafai (hamstring), Jack Ormondroyd (rib), Matty Foster (leg0 and Ben Hellewell continue to sit on the sidelines.
