Widnes Vikings head coach Allan Coleman has assessed the future of former Super League man Jordan Abdull amid reports of an exit.
The Vikings progressed to the quarter-finals of the 1895 Cup with a comfortable win over Dewsbury Rams in another performance that didn’t see Jordan Abdull play, with the 30-year-old omitted from the 21-man squad.
Instead, the Vikings had loaned in Leon Hayes from Warrington Wolves whilst Joe Lyons played alongside the Wire man in the halves with Tom Gilmore serving as 18th man as well.
Abdull did play last week in the league clash against Dewsbury but he missed out in rounds seven, eight and nine and that’s led to plenty of speculation about the former Super League man’s future.
Speaking on the club’s official YouTube channel after his side’s 1895 Cup win, head coach Allan Coleman was asked about Jordan Abdull and what his situation is given outside speculation.
“I understand people’s frustrations, I’m no fool, but I’ve just spoke about having that high energy and that work rate and really battling to get in and force me into big decisions.
“Jordan is working hard in the background but so is everybody else.
“I’ve got to pick a team that I feel rewards and merits the performances and that’s what I’ve done. I get judged by it and I’ve got to be true to it. I feel as though I am being true to it and I’m being true to the squad.”
Jordan Abdull ‘potentially’ set for loan move
With so many players to split minutes between and the Vikings loaning in Leon Hayes, Coleman confirmed that the club could look to send Abdull out on loan to get some minutes.
“Potentially,” he responded when asked about loan moves, adding: “Jordan is a half-back so he needs to play, the same as Joey (Lyons), he played today.
“Tom Gilmore was our 18th man, he wasn’t quite fit but he was okay, but it was vital that we give people minutes.
“Jordan is one of those, he’s an honest kind of guy, he’s a great guy and if he’s not playing then he wants to play, which I totally accept.
“If he’s not in next week then potentially we’ll loan him so he is playing and that goes for every player at this club. Potentially if he’s not with us then he’ll be playing on loan but he’ll always be our player until we decide otherwise.”
