Jones gives Red Devils a much-needed boost ahead of Hull clash
JOSH Jones returns from a two-month injury lay-off to boost Salford’s hopes of picking up a vital two points as they travel to Hull FC this evening.
The former St Helens secondrower has been sidelined with a knock picked up in the 30-12 win over Huddersfield in April - the last time the Red Devils won away from home.
But Ian Watson will think his side have a good chance of getting a result against Lee Radford’s injury-hit outfit.
Hull lost influential trio Sika Manu, Danny Houghton and Dean Hadley in the Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat on Sunday and face a short turnaround, whereas Salford have had a fortnight to prepare for this fixture.
Radford has confirmed he will not risk Albert Kelly - who played for the first time in five weeks against Saints - and is still without Josh Bowden, Fetuli Talanoa, Jordan Abdull and ex-Red Devils Marc Sneyd and Josh Griffin, but Joe Westerman will be available.
But Salford’s already small squad is also depleted by injuries, with fullback Niall Evalds the biggest loss having suffered a broken leg in the home defeat to Huddersfield.
Since that match, the club have made some significant moves to reshape their squad, coming to an agreement with Manu Vatuvei to cancel the injured winger’s contract and bringing in Widnes Vikings pair Ed Chamberlain and Greg Burke as part of a swap deal that saw club captain Weller Hauraki move in the opposite direction.
The double signing was not completed in time to allow the two to feature tonight.
In addition to Jones, the Red Devils also have Kris Welham back from injury, while Jack Littlejohn - dropped for the defeat to the Giants - returns to the 19-man squad to help cover for the loss of Evalds.