Burgess retires as injuries take toll

SALFORD’S Luke Burgess has announced his retirement at the age of 31 after battling a series of knee injuries.

The oldest of the four Burgess brothers, Luke has hung up his boots after helping the Red Devils survive in Super League, courtesy of a 44-10 win over Toulouse in the final round of the Super 8s Qualifiers at the AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday night.

It was only the 15th appearance of his second spell with the Red Devils and he admits that injuries have finally taken their toll.

“When I was younger I saw players that probably tried to play a bit longer than they could, even tried to play through injuries, and didn’t do themselves justice towards the end of their careers,” Burgess (pictured) said. “I made a promise to myself that I would never do that, that I would always listen to my body. I’d know when the time was right to call it a day. My head is still in the game but my body won’t let me do what I used to be able to do.

“I’ve had two serious injuries to the same knee, a shoulder and jaw reconstruction, and an ankle reconstruction, the list goes on. But I’m really happy with the career that I’ve had. I want to have a good quality of life moving forward and I’m happy to get out and finish at the top.” Meanwhile SWINTON and ROCHDALE both face tough trips tomorrow as they look to secure Betfred Championship safety. With the second tier expanding to 14 teams next year, only one side can possibly be relegated and even then it will be through a one-off promotion/ relegation shootout against the loser of the League 1 promotion playoff.

The Lions and Hornets are level at the bottom of the Championship table, but Stuart Littler’s side have a better points difference and will be safe if both sides lose.

However, if Rochdale can better Swinton’s result, they would enjoy safety and extend the Lions’ season by one more crucial fixture.

It is unlikely that Littler will be able to call on Wigan trio Josh Woods, Craig Mullen or Callum Field for his side’s trip to Batley. Hornets travel to Sheffield for Alan Kilshaw’s last match as coach.

Oldham travel to Bradford to play their semi-final.