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Reed off to Eagles

David Lawrenson
1/ 5/2008

JAILED Salford City Reds centre Damien Reed looks set to sign for Sheffield Eagles when he is released from prison.

But he will not be lining up against the Reds when the two clubs go toe-to-toe in a National League One clash in Sheffield tomorrow, Friday, May 2, kick-off 8pm.

Reed has spent the last three months behind bars after breaking a friend’s jaw on a night out last April.

It is believed that he will soon be granted an early release from prison.

And, with Salford washing their hands of the player after he kept his impending court case from them when signing for the club in the close season, it is widely rumoured that Reed is Sheffield bound.

The Eagles are one of Reed’s ex-clubs.

Salford coach Shaun McRae said: "If Damien ends up joining Sheffield or any other National League club then we will wish him well. He wasn’t open and transparent with us when we signed him but we bare him no grudges.

"I don’t know when he is coming out of prison but I do know that he won’t be playing against us on Friday as we still hold his registration. We would have to release him before he could sign for any other club.

"I also know that he won’t be coming back here to play when he gets out. That decision was taken at boardroom level a long time ago."

Table-topping Salford have no fresh injury concerns going into the game with third-placed Sheffield.

Utility ace John Wilshere is their only unavailable player. The Reds are confident that he will be ready to return from a hamstring problem for their following game at home to Celtic on Thursday, May 15.

McRae said: "We are in good shape on the injury front at the moment and we go to Sheffield in a confident mood having played well against Whitehaven on Thursday.

"The team against Whitehaven should be the same one that lines up against Sheffield. No one deserves to be left out."

That means winger Daley Williams will continue to keep Andy Ballard out of the side.

McRae said: "I spoke with Andy before the Whitehaven game about how he was playing and the way that I want him to play and decided that he could do with a bit of time in the reserves.

"He needs to reflect and refocus.

"Daley had been doing well for the reserves and by selecting him for the first team it shows that the door is open for players who impress in the lower grades."

McRae added: "Sheffield are third in the table so it’s clear that they are a pretty good side. They have been consistent with their form and their ground is very compact with a narrow pitch.

"We just need to make sure that our preparation and attitude is spot on and then, hopefully, our experience and talent will shine through."