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CROWD favourite Malc Alker has been Salford’s leader out on the pitch for the last 10 years.
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Ear-Leigh title test
Dave Lawrenson20/ 3/2008
SKIPPER Malc Alker says that the National League One opener at Leigh will be the Reds’ most important game of the 18-match campaign.
The 29-year-old considers Leigh to be Salford’s main challengers for the League One title.
And he says that whoever comes out on top when the two sides meet at the Coliseum tonight, Thursday, March 20, kick-off 6pm, will take a massive advantage into the rest of the campaign.
Alker said: "The Leigh game is absolutely huge. We simply can’t afford to begin the league season by losing to them.
"I think that Leigh will be our biggest rivals in the forthcoming season. They have recruited really well, bringing in class players like Tohe Kohe-Love, Dennis Moran and Nathan McAvoy, and they look really strong.
"I can see the results between ourselves and Leigh being really important come the end of the season. If we can beat Leigh it would give us a tremendous lift.
"It is always important to start the season well and hit the ground running.
"But with Leigh being first up it is more important than ever this year."
Both clubs topped their respective Northern Rail Cup groups.
And although the Reds’ form has been patchy leading into the league season, Alker is convinced that Salford are ready to show the watching world that they are worthy of a Super League franchise for the 2009 season.
He said: "We need to prove that we are the best side in the National League. And I am convinced that we can do that.
"It hasn’t been all plain sailing in the Northern Rail Cup games. But we have got ourselves fit, have tried out lots of different combinations and are starting to gel together as a team.
"We have got a really good squad and boast a lot of strength in depth.
"The new players have all had time to settle in now and we are well prepared for the battles that lie ahead."
Alker has re-established himself as Salford’s Mr Reliable this season after being forced to play a limited role last term due to hand and knee injuries.
He said: "Last year was a nightmare for me in terms of injuries. But, thankfully, I’m now fit and healthy again.
"I have fully recovered from the hernia operation I had at the end of last season and I have not been restricted at all in training or in matches.
"I do need to have a wrist reconstruction at some point but that would rule me out of action for six months so I have decided to hold that off until I have retired.
"The problem with my wrist won’t stop me from playing any games. If I have any pain with it at any point I’ll just play through the pain or play with an injection.
"It’s just a minor problem that will eventually need sorting out."
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20/03/2008 at 15:19