Wakefield Trinity set to make big move for Super League captain

We have passed May 1 which means that players who are out of contract at the end of the season are able to negotiate with other clubs in a bid to secure their futures.

One of those out of contract and without a club for 2023 is Salford Red Devils captain Elijah Taylor, who has been a big hit at the AJ Bell Stadium since making the move from the NRL back in 2021.

The loose-forward has been linked with a move to Wakefield Trinity and head coach Willie Poching confirmed as much in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against the Red Devils.

“He is an international, he is experienced and someone of that quality will always be of interest to us if they can improve our group from within and on the playing field,” Poching told BBC Radio Leeds.

“It’s flattering that we have been linked with someone of that ilk as we don’t have many internationals in our squad but he has been great and he’s their capta (in.

“Whatever happens after our game on Sunday happens.”

In the Wakefield side, however, a number of injury problems continue to arise with star winger Tom Johnstone again weeks off a return whilst Bill Tupou is heading for surgery once more after hurting his knee in a Reserves game.

“He’s (Tupou) had to have another medical procedure on his knee – not a major one,” Pohing told BBC Radio Leeds.

“We’re all disappointed but we’re trying to get it right for Bill and for us.

“He’s got to see the specialist in the next week and we will get some answers as to what our plan of attack will be for him.”

Meanwhile, Tom Johnstone has been sidelined by a groin problem for over a month and will be out for more weeks

“Three or four weeks ago there was a plan to give him about six weeks from the specialist,” Poching continued

“We’re a little way down the line, he’s feeling that there is some improvement which wasn’t the case earlier, so he’s feeling like there’s some progress.

“So we’re hoping that at some point in the next couple of weeks we can get him out on the training paddock first, and then have a look at him.”