Reds v Saints: Teams
Malcolm Alker will make his 350th appearance for Salford in Saturday's clash with in-form St Helens at the Willows.
Last Updated: 15/05/10 10:54am
Salford skipper Malcolm Alker will make his 350th appearance for the club against St Helens, live on Sky Sports.
The hooker, who is also now part of the coaching staff, will be hoping to celebrate his landmark by helping the Reds end a four-match losing run.
Having already been knocked out of the Carnegie Challenge Cup earlier in the campaign, they have had an extra week off to lick their wounds since the 68-16 loss to Warrington during Magic Weekend at Murrayfield.
The Super League strugglers have won just three times so far in 2010, though two of those victories - against Huddersfield and Hull FC - have been at home.
Coach Shaun McRae will have to do without prop Ray Cashmere, who is facing an indefinite spell on the sidelines following scans on a rib injury.
Fellow front-rower Rob Parker is also ruled out, though Salford look set to welcome back Lee Jewitt from a knee injury he suffered against Castleford.
Meli missing
St Helens are without Francis Meli, who has tweaked a hamstring, for the trip to the Willows.
The winger crossed twice last weekend to help Saints battle back from a half-time deficit to see off Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop and reach the last eight of the cup.
Jamie Foster takes Meli's place in the 19-man squad, while Jonny Lomax is also selected after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Saints coach Mick Potter has selected Shaun Magennis but forward Maurie Fa'asavalu is still sidelined with a shoulder problem.
Salford squad: Fitzpatrick, J. Smith, Henry, Talau, Gibson, Ratchford, Jewitt, Sidlow, Alker, Broughton, Sibbit, Spencer, Swain, M. Smith, Littler, Leuluai, Tyrer, Holdsworth, Boyle.
St Helens squad: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Pryce, Eastmond, Fozzard, Cunningham, Graham, Puletua, Flannery, Roby, Hargreaves, Moore, Clough, Ashurst, Dixon, Lomax, Magennis, Foster.