Watson keen for Jackson to stay at Red Devils next season

JACKSON Hastings has not played his last game for Salford, but will miss the games against Leeds Rhinos and London after receiving a red card in the victory over Toronto at the weekend.

The halfback was dismissed in the dying seconds for a high tackle on former Red Devils fullback Gareth O’Brien.

Hastings has been handed a two-match penalty notice by the RFL’s Match Review Panel, meaning he will be available for the final Qualifiers match at home against Toulouse Olympique on September 30.

And despite being heavily linked with a move to Wigan Warriors next season, Salford head coach Ian Watson has not given up hope of keeping hold of the mercurial playmaker.

“We’re talking to him, we’re talking to his agent,” said the Salford boss.

“He’s come in here and he has fitted in here really well, he enjoys being here and we enjoy Jackson being around here.

“Would he fit in at Wigan? I don’t know, that would be a question more for Wigan.

“But did Wigan want him a while ago? No they didn’t. Did any of the other teams want him? Not really, there was only a couple.

“So we kind of nailed our colours to the mast on that.”

Meanwhile, Swinton Lions loan forward Macauley Davies has been forced to retire from the sport aged just 22 following the discovery of a pre-existing brain condition.

The Wigan Warriors player was sent to see a specialist as part of the return-to-play protocols after suffering a concussion playing for the Lions, who he joined on loan in July. It was then discovered he has Chiari Malformation, whereby the lower part of the brain pushes into the spinal canal.

“To be told you your dreams of playing rugby league since a little boy is over is the hardest thing I have ever had to hear and to have to make a decision if I want to take a risk and carry on with my dream or to finish it is truly heartbreaking,” said Davies.

“For me the risks are too high and I have no choice.”