Salford Red Devils dealt welcome injury boost ahead of Leigh Leopards play-off clash

Salford Red Devils have been boosted by the return of Loghan Lewis heading into Friday’s play-off clash with Leigh Leopards. As expected, Paul Rowley has made a host of changes to the squad he named for last Thursday’s clash with Wigan Warriors with all of his star names coming back into contention.

Rowley was criticised by some for naming a weakened side in the final week of the regular season, but with their place in the Super League play-offs already secure, the head coach was keen to give his players a rest. He’ll be hoping the decision can pay dividends, too, as they take on a Leigh side who have won 10 of their last 12 games in Super League.

Salford’s star men will be feeling relatively fresh then, but they have also been boosted by the return of Lewis, who has caught the eye since arriving from the NRL in May. The forward injured his groin in the win over Hull FC a fortnight ago, but has returned in time to take on Adrian Lam’s Leopards.

Salford are expected to welcome a stadium record crowd for the clash on Friday, with the club confirming in the build-up that they will set a new attendance record at the Salford Community Stadium.

The winner of Friday’s clash will progress to the next round to take on either Wigan Warriors or Hull KR in the semi-finals and move to within 80 minutes of an appearance in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Salford Red Devils: Ryan Brierley, Ethan Ryan, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Sam Stone, Kallum Watkins, Oliver Partington, Chris Atkin, Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks, Jack Ormondroyd, Adam Sidlow, Chris Hankinson Joe Mellor, Gil Dudson, Loghan Lewis, Joe Bullock, Jayden Nikorima.

Leigh Leopards: Gareth O’Brien, Zak Hardaker, Ricky Leutele, Josh Charnley, Matt Moylan, Lachlan Lam, Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Kai O’Donnell, Jack Hughes, John Asiata, Matt Davis, Frankie Halton, Owen Trout, Oliver Holmes, Keanan Brand, Umyla Hanley, Brad Dwyer, Darnell McIntosh, Aaron Pene.