Salford Red Devils

Salford Red Devils’ loan status explained as Paul Rowley gives positive injury update

by
Sam Cook
May 30, 2025

Salford Red Devils have lost another loanee and Paul Rowley has explained their current status and provided an injury update.

Under the RFL rules, Super League clubs can have a maximum of six loanees with the matchday squad capped at five. For much of the current season, the Red Devils have had the maximum of six loanees but there are just three left at Salford now.

Recent weeks have seen players recalled from Salford to parent their clubs with Jake Thewlis (Warrington Wolves), George Hill (Castleford Tigers) and now Harvey Makin (Wigan Warriors) all recalled, with Makin a chance of featuring against the Red Devils tonight.

That leaves just Tiaki Chan (Wigan Warriors), Jonny Vaughan (St Helens) and Toby Warren (Leeds Rhinos) as the loanees at Salford and Rowley has explained how Salford’s shortage of their own players has made adding loanees tough.

Speaking to the media mid-week and confirming Makin’s recall, Rowley explained:” I think that would leave three remaining spots. We’ve tried a couple of avenues there, but some clubs want players for players, and obviously we haven’t got any to give.

“That’s a bit impossible for us. We’re not in a position of strength to negotiate in that aspect, so we’ll be easy pickings in any sort of negotiation.

“Other clubs, it’s that time of year where people are struggling themselves with injuries, so they need squad cover and we accept and appreciate that as well. We’ve also got a Challenge Cup Final on the horizon too, so it’s a tough situation at the minute.”

Salford Red Devils’ injury status

That has meant that Salford have only been able to name an 18-man squad for tonight’s game against Wigan Warriors as the club contend with loan recalls, injuries and player exits.

Three of those senior players who are out injured are close to returns though, whilst another two can be ‘forgot’ about for the time being given the length of their absence.

“They’re not far off to be honest,” Rowley said of Chris Hill and Joe Mellor, noting: “The week off next week will give us a better chance then for the following week. They’re not fit for this week but they’re not far off.”

As for Ethan Ryan and Jayden Nikorima, he explained: “They’re nowhere in sight to be honest. We can forget about them for a little bit but Shane Wright’s in there as well, he’s not far off as well.

“You can throw him in with Joe Mellor and Chris Hill as experienced players that would be first team starters for us, so them three are not far off and doing well.”

Another man who misses out this week is Sam Davis, formerly of London, with the hooker suffering a calf tear that looks set to sideline him for an extended period.

“He’s a calf tear so most likely is (long-term),” confirmed Rowley.

“The pre-season and start of season was missed with him due to calf tears, so unfortunately when you get one, you get another and another. It’s a bit of a soft spot for him now, so it’s disappointing for him.

“It’s good to have Joe (Bullock) back in and another big body so we lost Harvey (Makin) but luckily we got Joe back as well.”

There had been concerns over whether Salford would be paid, with yesterday’s payday missed, but per journalist Gary Carter, players have been paid ahead of tonight’s game.