Reds v Rhinos: Teams
Leeds look set to clinch the League Leaders' Shield whether they win, lose or draw against Salford at The Willows.
Last Updated: 09/09/09 7:58pm
Leeds take on lowly Salford at The Willows on Friday night knowing they are on the verge of clinching the League Leaders' Shield.
The Rhinos need just a point to be certain of finishing the regular season in top spot, although even avoiding a heavy defeat is likely to be enough to see them finish above St Helens.
Keith Senior and Jamie Jones-Buchanan will both have to watch on from the sidelines, though, after being handed one-match bans.
Centre Senior was suspended, as well as given a £300 fine, after he admitted punching Jon Wilkin during Leeds' 18-10 win over St Helens last Friday.
Jones-Buchanan was handed the same punishment after being found guilty of a "chicken-wing" tackle on Saints' James Graham.
The England international then appealed unsuccessfully against the ban on Wednesday.
If he is ruled out forward Jay Pitts looks set to make his debut for the club after joining from Super League rivals Wakefield in July. Kallum Watkins has been called up to replace Senior.
Skipper Kevin Sinfield is also included in coach Brian McClennan's 19-man squad despite suffering a facial injury against Saints.
Paul departure
Salford - who are certain to miss out on the play-offs - will be hoping to spoil the Rhinos' party in their final game of 2009.
The match will also be the last for Robbie Paul in a Reds shirt as the former New Zealand international is joining Leigh Centurions next season.
Richie Myler (Warrington) and Jordan Turner (Hull FC) are also heading for pastures new but neither player has been included in coach Shaun McRae's 19-man squad.
While they may not finish this season with too many trophies, Salford do look certain of clinching one award with Malcolm Alker set to top the league's tackling charts.
The hooker currently leads the way with 948 tackles, his closest rival being team-mate Luke Adamson on 894.
"Malcolm's statistics are especially phenomenal this season when you think it is the first year he has found himself spelled," said McRae on the club's website.
"Malc is used to being an 80-minute player and this year he has shared the responsibility with Robbie Paul."
Salford squad: Wilshere, Henry, Littler, Parker, McGilvray, Smith, Ratchford, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Sidlow, Swain, Paul, Sibbit, Leuluai, Nash, Fitzpatrick, Spencer.
Leeds squad: Webb, Donald, Smith, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Burrow, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Diskin, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Worrall, Watkins, Pitts.