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Ex-Reds won't be returning

11/ 9/2008

SALFORD coach Shaun McRae has ruled out the prospect of signing any former Reds for next season.

The Reds’ relegation from Super League in 2007 cost them the services of hugely talented players like Luke Robinson and David Hodgson.

At the time, several departees said they were sad to leave the Willows club.

But, despite being linked with Huddersfield winger Hodgson recently, McRae is adamant that departed players will not be returning for the Reds’ return to Super League in 2009.

He said: "The players who left all signed for at least a couple of years at other clubs. They have moved on and we have moved on."

The Reds have made no further progress this week in their recruitment drive for next season.

They are still looking to sign an outside back plus one or two other new players with just one overseas quota spot to fill. And Salford are still waiting to hear if current Reds Luke Adamson, Jason Walton and Luke Ambler are to accept their new contract offers.

Meanwhile, McRae admits he would like to have a second assistant coach next season. But he says he is not sure if he will be afforded that luxury.

McRae said: "Decisions haven’t been made yet about the make-up of the coaching staff for next season.

"But I would like all of the current coaching staff to stay. Scott Naylor, Alan Hunte, Andy Haigh and Christine Holmes all do great jobs here and they are really good people to work with.

"But I would like another assistant coach to work alongside Scott if possible. I’ll be speaking to director of football Steve Simms about that in due course.

l Salford look set to continue to play the majority of their home games on Friday nights next season.

Simms said: "A final decision will rest with the board but it does look as if we will be sticking with Friday for the majority of our games."