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‘I’ll be back!’

Tony Howard
12/ 4/2007

SKIPPER Malcolm Alker is riding to the rescue of his beleaguered Salford City Reds as they battle for their Super League lives.

The influential hooker will have a late fitness test tomorrow (Friday) ahead of the Reds' Willows showdown against Hull FC, but Alker has told the Advertiser he will play.

And his return from a medial knee ligament injury could not come at a better time as Salford struggle to turn around a poor start to the season which sees them second from bottom.

The Reds have been further boosted by the inclusion of Ian Sibbit and Kevin McGuinness in the 20-man squad to face Hull.

Captain Alker is a notoriously quick healer and his recovery after just three weeks has once again baffled the medics.

Alker said: "I've trained all week and I am very confident that I will be playing on Friday.

"The knee feels fine at the moment and I'm keen to get out there and help us turn things around.

"We've had a tough time of late with injuries but with myself, Kevin McGuinness and Ian Sibbit back we will finally be able to put a near full strength side out there.

"We've got the quality here to pull ourselves out of the relegation zone and once we get a run together I'm sure we'll be OK.

"I've not enjoyed being on the sidelines and I'm actually more nervous watching than I am playing, so I just can't wait to be involved on Friday."

Salford go into the game against Hull, who are one place above them, on the back of two defeats over the Easter period to Warrington and St Helens.

But director of football Steve Simms is confident the bad run will end.

He said: "We've never complained about the injuries but we have been hit really hard. A plus at Saints was the return of Sibbit and Kevin McGuinness is also in contention for Friday.

"If we win, then pick up points at Hull KR, we could beat Wigan at home for three more points, which would take us up to sixth.

"We'll be OK - there's a long way to go and once we're at full strength the wins will start coming."

Salford's 20-man squad for the game, which kicks off at 8pm, is: Hodgson, McGuinness, Moule, Wilshere, Dorn, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Korkidas, Sibbit, Finnigan, Highton, Viane, Brocklehurst, Haggerty, Adamson, Littler, Turner, Jewitt, Williams.