REDS WORK TO KEEP THEIR COR STRENGTH
Salford chief says club is in advanced contract talks with Aussie fans’ favourite
SALFORD Red Devils CEO Martin Vickers says contract extension talks with Cory Paterson are at a very advanced stage.
Vickers is however aware of the fact that other clubs have expressed an interest in the big Australian who is a firm favourite with the Salford fans.
Super League hopefuls Leigh are the latest club to be linked with the former Hull KR man.
‘‘We are talking with Cory and he knows we are obviously wanting him to stay at Salford,’’ Vickers said.
‘‘Our contract talks with Junior Sa’u and Theo Fages also remain on-going.’’
Salford expect a positive outcome on all fronts as they continue to build and strengthen.
Meanwhile, Salford will be boosted this week by the arrival from Australia of former London Broncos forward Olsi Krasniqi.
He is here until the end of the season and Salford have the option of retaining him for next season.
Reds certainly need to bolster their pack with Lama Tasi off to St Helens and Scott Taylor on the move to Hull FC.
Krasniqi will arrive in London and he trains with the squad tomorrow.
He could debut at Wakefield next weekend.
Vickers feels the arrival of Krasniqi is a boost with Salford having not won since the Easter Monday victory over Wigan.
He adds: ‘‘Olsi is a big, strong aggressive forward. I see he signed off with a try in his last game in Australia and I am sure he comes here with a point to prove.
“He has a very good reputation.
‘‘He also knows all about Super League from his time at London and it is a good chance for him to show what he is capable of.’’
Reds were beaten 32-12 by Saints last time out and were again punished for some defensive lapses in what was otherwise a competitive and strong performance.
Coach Iestyn Harris said: ‘‘We certainly missed opportunities and created a lot of them against the best team in the competition.
‘‘We should have taken these. We just have to pick up on defensive lapses. We showed we are going to be difficult to play against if we continue to play as we did at Saints.’’
Salford welcomed Rangi Chase back from a seven match ban and he scored a try.
Harris now prepares to face Wakefield who will have new coach Brian Smith in charge. This is a must-win game if Reds are to keep alive their play-off hopes.
A tough June programme is completed with a trip to Wigan ahead of the Challenge Cup quarter-final break. Salford know they must then win crucial home games with Catalan and Hull KR.
Salford have again been without the injured Kevin Locke in recent weeks. Reports from Australia say a couple of clubs may be prepared to take a punt on the Kiwi international.
Locke has attracted interest from Canberra in the past. Reds owner Marwan Koukash has reiter- ated his decision to listen to offers for the former New Zealand Warriors star less than a year after his arrival in England.
Locke has been training hard after his latest setback with a knee problem and still hopes to figure with just seven games left of what has been a disappointing season.
Reds will also continue to look for the best available emerging talent with the Championship. best in the first half, far from it, but we had a chat at half-time about the areas where we needed to improve and I thought we were very good in the second half,” Wane said.
“I badly wanted to get the win for Lockers (O’Loughlin), I think that’s why I was so emotional at half-time, it meant a lot to me.
“It was satisfying to come up with that, against a very well-coached team who have the best defence in the competition.”
A power cut before kick-off meant Wigan were unable to gain access to the away dressing room but Wane shrugged off the disruption.
“We got changed in the canteen,” he revealed. “It was one of those things – we have a motto ‘any time, any place, any where’ – and we just get on with it. I’m really proud of them.”