Hock leaves Salford, Locke could follow

Gareth Hock has left Salford, it has been confirmed.

Hock, 31, last week received a six match ban for two incidents that occurred during the 52-6 home defeat at the hands of St Helens, which turned out to be his final appearance for the Red Devils.

The former Wigan back-rower, who spent a season on loan at Widnes in 2013, had looked like leaving the AJ Bell Stadium at the end of last season, having missed the final seven games of the campaign due to a ban for deliberately colliding with a referee.

He tweeted: “I (have) now left Salford from today I would like to thank the club & Marwan for the support & help and the fans wish them all the best.”

Hock has had a controversial career and has missed 102 games through suspension since 2008, including 69 during a two-year spell when he was banned for cocaine use.

After his ban, he had an 18 month stint at Wigan before a fall-out saw him leave first to Widnes on loan, and then permanently to big spending Dr Koukash’s Red Devils.

He played 16 times for the club last season. In 2013, he scored 10 tries in 18 appearances for Widnes before being booted out of the England squad on the eve of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Salford could also be saying goodbye to New Zealand international Kevin Locke.

The full-back is being linked with a switch to Scottish rugby union, with a view to fast tracking him in to the Scotland squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Locke, 25, only arrived at Salford on a three-year deal from New Zealand Warriors midway through last season, having turned down advances from rugby union sides Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.