ST HELENS winger Adam Swift admits he hasn’t contemplated asking for a move away from the club despite a frustrating season so far.
Swift made only his fourth appearance of the season on Thursday, as the Saints solidified their position at the Super League summit with victory at Castleford.
Injuries and the form of Regan Grace and Tommy Makinson have kept him out of the side for most of 2018: but he told League Express he had no intention other than fighting for his place.
“I’ve only been fit in the last two or three weeks but no, I never considered leaving,” he said.
“Having been out for so long, Justin had a word and mentioned a couple of games at Sheffield (on dual-registration) would do me some good.”
Swift, however, has joined the growing chorus of players and officials who want to see reserve grade made mandatory once again – saying it would have aided his own preparation for returning to action following a shoulder injury.
“The game is desperate for a reserve grade – absolutely desperate,” he said.
“I could have been playing reserves the last few weeks and that would have stood me in better stead for playing here with someone dropping out. It all comes to down to money, doesn’t it – I don’t have a clue how much it costs and from when I first came through, the reserves is a perfect breeding ground for young kids.
“I started pretty well this year, playing probably the best form I’ve been in at the club, but a freak accident at Hull KR set me back and the lads who’ve come in haven’t put a foot wrong. It’s been tough – especially when the lads have been scoring some of those brilliant tries, you want to be involved in a team like that with the way we’re attacking.”
Swift now faces a nervous wait to see if he has done enough to retain his place for Sunday’s cup tie with Hull.
“Tommy is probably back in this week, but we’ll see,” he said.
“I’ve done my best here, there were a couple of errors but that’s to be expected with how long I’ve been out injured. We’ll get a good week of training and hopefully I’ve done enough to stay in the side.”