Salford: Paul Rowley confirms possible long-term absentees

Salford Head Coach Paul Rowley has confirmed Rhys Williams and Alex Gerrard could both be set for a spell on the sidelines.

Both had to come off during Salford’s 14-10 defeat at St Helens on Friday night. Williams picked an ankle injury, while Gerrard has also torn a muscle.

The Red Devils were narrowly beaten at the Totally Wicked Stadium. It was only a couple of penalties from Tommy Makinson that proved the difference between the two sides.

Rowley said he was proud of the effort that his players had put in- similar to last week’s defeat to Wigan.

The Salford coach told his post-match press conference: “Rhys Williams looks like he’s got a long termer.  Maybe syndesmosis is the early call. And Alex Gerrard he’s got a tear as well.

“It’s been a tough schedule for us. Saints was a game as a staff, we were really looking forward to it right from before the fixtures were even out. Purely because we’ve got that much respect for them as a club and a team that we like to pit our wits against them.

“We’d like to come here with a fresh and strongest available with fresh legs, but that wasn’t the case after a tough Easter period. Quite the opposite.

“We came up against a refreshed team so all I can do those pay tribute to the attitude and character of my team after such a schedule and so many players out missing.

“We have a really good group, and I am really proud of them today.”

Rowley unhappy with penalty call

Rowley also admitted he was unhappy with the call that Jack Welsby was tip-tackled in the second half. The penalty saw Saints stretch their lead to four points.

He added: “I thought we had a few harsh calls against us to be honest. You expect that away from home.

“The tip tackle, certainly the second one on Welsby, I’m not liking that at all. I don’t think that was a penalty. So it’s probably the first time I’ve ever referenced decisions in my post-match. But they riled me a little bit.

“Certainly the messing about at the end, and the tip tackle. I don’t like the look of that. I don’t like what I think maybe is potentially playing for penalties.”

St Helens 14-10 Salford: Tommy Makinson kicks Saints back to winning ways