Salford forward Luke Yates has done lockdown by the book as he waits for Super League to resume.
The former London Broncos prop is eager to take up where he left off after helping the Red Devils defeat Wigan in their last game before the campaign was put on hold by the coronavirus pandemic.
Now Yates, who moved up north from the capital during the close-season and has already agreed a contract extension through to 2022, is eyeing the Sunday, August 9 clash with Hull FC at Leeds’ Emerald Headingley.
He’s had to be patient, and that’s where at least an hour of reading a day has come in useful.
“I’m living on my own, and time can drag a little,” explained the 25-year-old, who had two years in the NRL at Newcastle Knights before heading to London ahead of last season.
“I didn’t want to be spending too much time in front of the TV, so I set myself a reading challenge.
“Each day, after I finished my running and my weights session, I put my mobile on silent and spent at least an hour with a book.
“I got through quite a few sports autobiographies, some books about psychology and motivational techniques and one about (American criminal and cult leader) Charles Manson, which there was a lot of talk about when it came out last year.”
Of course, Yates is keen to focus on actions as well as words, and believes Salford can soon climb the table after picking up only two wins from seven matches before lockdown.
“There’s been quite a bit of change in the squad, so we’re still gelling,” he added.
“While we lost to Catalans, there were signs of things coming together, and beating Wigan in the next match gave us all a boost.
“We’ve also signed Andy Ackers (from Toronto) and Morgan Escaré (from Wigan) during lockdown, and that will add quality to the squad, so there’s plenty to be positive about.”
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