Devils return to training and look to pick up where they left off

MORE than four months on from their last session together, the Salford squad returned to training.

The Red Devils will be back in action on August 9 when they take on Hull FC at Headingley, but Ian Watson isn’t concerned about the return from the coronavirusenforced break, having been impressed with how his players have maintained their fitness over the lockdown period.

“The good thing is that the boys have come back in physically good shape,” said the Salford boss.

“Contact fitness is going to be one [priority], getting their strength back up is another one as well. We just need to make sure we can get the guys contact-ready before that first game.

“That’ll be the key – dropping that in and being smart with when and when not to use it.”

With the exception of Toronto Wolfpack, who have withdrawn from this year’s competition, all Super League clubs are now back in training.

Players and staff at all clubs, plus RFL match officials, have now been tested twice for Covid-19, with zero positive results returned from the 924 tests.

In addition to the regular testing, there are screening protocols for every player or member of staff who attends the training ground.

It means that the players’ daily routine is markedly different to the one they were accustomed to prior to the shutdown of the sport, but it is expected to become the new normal for the foreseeable future.

The Red Devils tasted victory in their last mach getting the better of league leaders Wigan at the AJ Bell Stadium. And while England international Dan Sarginson knows it will be tough for his side to pick up where they left off, he believes the team aren’t far off being ready to do so.

“We’ve had a long time off it’s probably longer than any pre-season or off-season we’ve had,” said the former Wigan man. “It’s going to be tough, but we accept the challenge.”