City Reds v Quins: Teams
Salford City Reds will have to cope without new signing Willie Talau for the visit of Quins on Friday.
Last Updated: 06/03/09 2:25pm
Salford City Reds will have to cope without new signing Willie Talau for the visit of Harlequins on Friday night.
The former St Helens centre is expected to be out for four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a depressed fracture of his cheekbone.
The injury happened during Salford's 52-16 mauling away at Castleford last time out although Jordan Turner is set for his first appearance of the season deputising in the centres.
Outside backs Dean McGilvray and Paul White are also out of action, but England international Richard Myler is available despite picking up a hand injury in the heavy loss at the Jungle.
Lee Jewitt has recovered from a virus to take his place in the squad, meanwhile, as the Reds look to get back on track following big reversals against Wakefield and the Tigers.
Shaun McRae's newly-promoted side opened up with a 28-16 win over Celtic Crusaders in their first match back in Super League and will want a return to that form against the Londoners.
"Quins were probably unlucky to lose to Wigan last week," he said. "They have a good blend, with experience in key positions and some younger players around them.
"They have been impressive so far, playing with a lot of direction."
Challenge
Brian McDermott's Harlequins side is looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats against Manly Sea Eagles and Wigan Warriors.
Though the former was just a friendly McDermott will be concerned after seeing leads of 10-6 and 18-14 slip against the ailing Warriors at the Twickenham Stoop.
A 12-8 triumph at Castleford is the club's only other result this season although that came all the way back on February 15 and they have made one change for the trip to The Willows.
Rob Purdham has dropped out of McDermott's 19-man squad with Jon Grayshon the beneficiary as the Londoners look to match their coach's bold early season target of winning the league.
Quins currently languish in mid-table, with a game in hand, and they will want to live up to their big billing in the North West.
Salford squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Jewitt, Turner, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Nash, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Adamson, Ratchford.
Harlequins squad: Clubb, Dorn, Gafa, Gale, Golden, Grayshon, Heckenberg, Howell, Kaye, Mbu, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Melling, Orr, Randall, Robinson, Sharp, Temata, Ward, Wells.