Karl Fitzpatrick says Salford Red Devils loanee could return to Warrington Wolves

Warrington Wolves have made plenty of signings this off-season but they have also utilised the loan system well.

Chief Executive Karl Fitzpatrick has revealed that Salford loanee Ellis Longstaff could still forge a path at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in the future.

Longstaff was on loan with Hull FC for a short period last season, but depsite impressing the youngster has been sent back out on loan again, this time to Salford, amidst a flurry of arrivals in the forwards.

The Wire have a luxury of options up front with Josh McGuire, Sam Kasiano, Gil Dudson and Paul Vaughan. Their back-row, where Longstaff plays, looks just as strong with the likes of Matty Nicholson, Ben Currie and Joe Philbin.

Speaking about Longstaff at a Warrington Wolves fan’s forum, Fitzpatrick said: “He probably needs to go elsewhere and experience that (first team rugby) at a different club.

“We are happy with what we’ve got in the back-row, he was keen to play somewhere else next season so it was best for both parties.

“Ellis is a great kid with lots of potential, but he wants to play in the first team. Could he come back here in 12 months? Yes he could, but he felt it was better for his development that he plays somewhere else in 2023.”

At just 20, Longstaff has undoubted talent and time on his side. If he performs at Salford, this could be a clever bit of business from Daryl Powell and the Wolves hierachy who could benefit from the younster’s development at another Super League club.