Salford on verge of signing Championship duo

Salford head coach Ian Watson has revealed the club are looking to sign two Championship players after both recently joined the Red Devils’ bubble.  

London Broncos back Olly Ashall-Bott and Halifax playmaker Tom Gilmore have participated in training sessions with Watson’s side, with the club hoping to sign them before deadline day.

“Adding players is something we have looked at as we are really low on numbers,” Watson said in his pre-match press conference.

“We have had two lads who joined our bubble last week. We had a really good week in preparation going into the Catalans game but then a few of the staff got injured so we needed some reinforcements.

“Therefore, we had two lads come in to help us out. A massive credit to London Broncos and Halifax for allowing it to happen in letting us have Olly Ashall-Bott and Tom Gilmore to train against us.

“Hopefully, something can be done before the deadline where they might even be able to join our squad but we just have to be clear around all the rules and regulations.

🏉 @tomgilmore7 and @oliverashall have joined up with the Salford Red Devils squad for training.

🤝 Thank you to their parent clubs @Halifax_RLFC and @LondonBroncosRL!

💪 #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/zk0agppgaO

— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) September 22, 2020

“We got them on the essential register to start training with us and they have been brilliant for that.

“We made sure they had the tests and they got clear before they came anywhere near us but since they have been in, they have been really good.”

Ashall-Bolt and Gilmore have Super League experience having played together previously at Widnes, before their relegation at the end of 2018.

Having both moved across the Championship at the start of the year, Watson believes if he can get the deals done, this could be the perfect chance for them to shine at the top level.

He added: “It might be an opportunity going forward to give us a little more competition for places, and it might get both of them back playing at Super League level here, where they can show what they’re about.

“It would be nice for them to sign, if it happens. Our squad at weekend was exactly what it was. We named someone in the squad who was never going to play but it is what it is.

“The same thing is probably going to happen again this weekend but it is just a matter of science. Bringing in those extra bodies would certainly help us out.”