WHETHER Salford Red Devils are ranked number one or number 21 appears to be one of the reasons holding up the release of the new Championship format for 2026.

After their demotion from Super League, the Red Devils would naturally take up number one spot in the graded fixture formula.

However doubts remain over the club’s future, though other teams seem to be expecting them to participate.

If a new ‘phoenix’ club were formed, the suggestion is they would go in as club number 21, but some chairmen have called for them to be classed as number one either way, to try and accelerate the process of getting the fixture details released.

Only a handful of players from last season’s Salford squad remain unconfirmed elsewhere for 2026, with Nene Macdonald, Joe Shorrocks, Joe Mellor and Esan Marsters the biggest names.

There were reports elsewhere that wage payments for players at the end of October had been delayed.

Macdonald has been widely linked with London Broncos, while Mellor could join the growing ex-Salford contingent at Bradford under Kurt Haggerty. Shorrocks ended last season at Leeds.

But with the increased number of teams in Super League for 2026, it is thought players are relaxed about confirming their futures, especially as they try to ensure they receive payment for the remainder of their Salford deals.