Salford and Castleford welcome back key men ahead of Super League clash

Salford and Castleford have both welcomed back key men ahead of their Super League Round Nine clash at the AJ Bell Stadium. 

The fixture kicks-off the round live on Sky Sports, with an 8:00pm kick-off.

Oliver Partington makes a remarkable early return from injury and has been named at loose forward for Salford by head coach Paul Rowley.

The 24-year-old former Wigan forward was expected to miss 10 weeks of action back in March, having required knee surgery.

At the time, Rowley said: “Ollie Partington needs an operation on his knee so he will be around the 10-week mark or something like that,” Rowley told Love Rugby League.

“Knowing Ollie, he’ll be trying really hard in rehab to get back before that. The doctors and physios like to wrap you up and on’t give you back until you are 100% so we’ll see.”

It’s a strong line-up for the Red Devils at home, with back-rower Ellis Longstaff named at 18th man.

Playmaker returns for Castleford

Gareth Widdop returns to Castleford’s line-up, having missed the last two fixtures due to illness.

The former England international fell ill during the side’s trip to Perpignan, with outside-back Jack Broadbent filling in the halves alongside Jacob Miller.

Broadbent, 22, returns to the centres, with Jordan Turner on the other side while Mahe Fonua drops to 18th man.

George Griffin, Daniel Smith, Sam Hall and loanee Luis Johnson make up the bench.

Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Costello, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Dupree, Ackers, Vuniyayawa, Watkins, Stone, Partington. Bench: Ormondroyd, Atkin, Addy, Wright. 18: Longstaff.

Castleford: Evalds, Eden, Turner, Broadbent, Faraimo, Widdop, Miller, Massey, McShane, Lawler, Edwards, Mellor, Milner. Bench: Griffin, Smith, Hall, Johnson. 18: Mahe Fonua.

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