Salford Red Devils boss gives Nene Macdonald update amid returning trio hope

Nene Macdonald isn’t expected to be available this weekend when Salford Red Devils take on St Helens in Super League. However, head coach Paul Rowley is more hopeful regarding the availability of three of their senior figures.

Macdonald has played just six games for the Red Devils this season with salary cap restraints and injury eating into his game time significantly. It’s the latter that kept him out of the club’s loss to Wigan Warriors last time out, though, and he isn’t likely to feature on Sunday when the Red Devils welcome the Saints to the Salford Community Stadium.

That will come as a big blow to Rowley, who is desperately missing star power in the Salford ranks, but three big name players could be in contention, with the head coach failing to rule out returns for Chris Hill, Shane Wright and Joe Mellor.

“I don’t think Nene will be back. So we’ve possibly Chris Hill, Joe Mellor and Shane Wright,” Rowley said this afternoon in his press conference when asked about players returning.

Salford Red Devils head coach provides loan player update

With Salford’s resources being depleted this season, the club have had to lean on the loan market in recent months. At present, Tiaki Chan, Jonny Vaughan and Toby Warren remain with the club having joined the club from Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Leeds Rhinos respectively.

However, the likes of Harvey Makin and George Hill have been recalled from their loans in recent weeks and Rowley admits his side might find it hard to replace them, given the injuries that exist elsewhere in Super League.

“We won’t be bringing any more players in this week,” he added. “We can start looking at that but all the other head coaches are battered and bruised at the minute so there’s not a lot of movement anywhere.”

LTO @ home against Saints, we scored 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 effort, voted our Try of the Season! 🔥 🏡

Just ☝️ week to go!

— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) June 8, 2025