WIDNES VIKINGS hope a strong Challenge Cup crowd will help them bolster Allan Coleman’s squad.
The club lost two players last week as young backs Reagan Sumner and Adam Jones were both released.
Coleman would like to beef up his squad in light of their exits but any permanent moves may rely on the expected financial boost to come this weekend.
The Vikings host local rivals Warrington in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup on Saturday, the first competitive meeting between the pair since 2018.
“Money is the big thing. We have to be smart and if that means the loan market, it’s not ideal but so be it,” said Coleman.
“We’ve got a big game coming up against Warrington and hopefully that’ll generate some income. I’ve no doubt the club will support the team and we can strengthen.
“Fingers crossed we’ll be able to do that with a good crowd and some money from the game.
“We’re glad we have a home game. We’ve had six games – one at home and five away.
“The (cup) draws have not been good to us and we’ve not really made any money on anything. If anything, it’s cost us.
“Then the Warrington game comes and it’s a local derby, there’s talk of the highest crowd since Super League with 6,000.
“Fingers crossed we can beat that if the good public get out and support both teams.”
Both Sumner and Jones were new signings this season from Wigan but have left without appearing.
Sumner, who played twice for the Vikings in 2024 while on loan, has since signed for Swinton.
“We’d identified (Sumner) as one for the future, but ultimately, what he wants is game time.
“Adam was very similar to Reagan, in that he just wasn’t getting the game time he wanted.
“The last thing I want to do is stand in their way.”