Salford Red Devils have announced a strong squad for their first home game of the 2023 campaign and fans will be pleased to see that their recently re-signed winger Joe Burgess is back in contention.
Burgess followed suit that many other Red Devils’ key players have taken this off-season, extending his stay at the AJ Bell Stadium with a three-year deal.
The most notorious of those is current Man of Steel Brodie Croft who took a huge extension deal that ties him to the club until 2030, whilst Burgess’ centre partner Tim Lafai also extended for three years following an impressive World Cup with Samoa.
Salford managed to get over the line without Burgess in round one as they went and spoilt the party at the Leigh Sports Village with Rhys Williams deputising well for Burgess.
However Burgess will be a welcome return for Thursday evening when the Red Devils host a Hull KR side that defeated the Challenge Cup holders’ Wigan Warriors on Saturday.
Salford named their squad for the fixture with Burgess being the standout return in what looks to be a strong squad for Paul Rowley.
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Ryan Brierley was very impressive in the opening game victory and he’ll look to show off again, although his opposite number Lachlan Coote won’t feature for Rovers.
Whilst Salford regain a winger in Burgess, Rovers lose their star winger with Ryan Hall also set to miss the fixture as well as forwards Rhys Kennedy and Matty Storton.
Hull KR have won the last four matchups but with their minor injury crisis ahead of Thursday night’s game it could be a case of Salford securing victory over the Robins for the first time since round three in 2019, four years ago to the day on Thursday evening.