SALFORD RED DEVILS have been given a major boost ahead of their Super League clash against Castleford Tigers with the news that Nene Macdonald will return to the side.
Macdonald hasn’t played for the Red Devils since earlier in the season and has even had a loan spell at Oldham as Salford adapted to a £1.2 million sustainability cap.
The Papua New Guinea international has been in Australia the past few weeks for the birth of his child, but Salford boss Paul Rowley confirmed that Macdonald will return for Sunday’s fixture at The Jungle – as will Ryan Brierley.
“Ryan is fit and available. It was an anomaly his injury,” Rowley said.
“Nene is back in the country and is available as well. Nene is great, he has had a very unsettled year.
“Even looking all the way back from playing in the Pacific Cup and therefore having no pre-season and then coming into the turmoil that has been.
“He hasn’t played, it’s a great boost for him as well as us. I’m pleased he gets the chance to pull on the Salford shirt again.”
Rowley knows that his side will have their work cut out at Castleford.
“It’s always tough at Castleford, they will be targeting this game and seeing themselves picking points up and understandably so.
“Every week is tough for us in particular. It’s difficult as we will be facing a motivated Castleford side this week.”
For Rowley, he has not set any goals for the remainder of the season, highlighting the inconsistency of his side.
“Control the controllables, when the picture changes as frequently as it has done. It’s hard to set goals.
“What we set back in pre-season would be different to the goals we have now.
“We have always had clarity in what we talk about and be realistic about everything. We are not setting goals that’s for sure.
“When you’ve got inconsistency, goal setting will set you up for a fall. We need to get consistency first – on and off the field.”
Of course, throughout the season, loop fixtures will come into play. And Rowley isn’t a fan of the concept.
“I’m not a fan of the loop fixtures. The more things in any sport or walk of life that keeps things simple is better for me
“I have always mentioned clarity. I always think if you’re an outsider looking in if you have to explain something that seems overly complicated it’s not good.
“And the loop fixtures fit in that category for me.”
