Salford City Reds owner Marwan Koukash wants to bring back some top talent to the club and help them climb the Super League table.
After their first victory, a stunning comeback against Hull Kingston Rovers, the Reds are looking to push on as they host the league’s bottom club – winless London Broncos.
Salford lost some of their big names last year, including Daniel Holdsworth and Matty Smith, but Koukash says he will pull no punches trying to sign quality players.
“I want our boys back,” he told Sky Sports. “Last year the so-called big clubs used our financial difficulties to entice our players away.
“Now, if it means me using our financial strength to entice them back, I will.”
The Kuwait-born owner made his desire for a big name very clear this week as he launched an audacious bid to sign Wigan Warriors full-back Sam Tomkins.
The bid for last year’s Man of Steel was subsequently rejected but Marwan insisted it was a genuine attempt and not a publicity stunt.
“I don’t know why people call it a publicity stunt,” he added. “We don’t lack ambition, we don’t lack the finances, and we don’t lack anything.
“We have everything to make us a top side.”
Despite no marquee signing this week, the Reds can boast two new NRL reinforcements in the shape of Manly Sea Eagles duo Liam Foran and Vic Mauro.
The pair arrived in Manchester on Wednesday and were thrown straight into the squad for tonight’s game against the Broncos.
Salford’s 19-man squad to face London Broncos:
J Murphy, J Broughton, A Gibson, M Gleeson, D Williams, M Sneyd, D Griffin, W Godwin, S McPherson, M Ashurst, A Dixon, S Wild, S Howarth, R McGoldrick, R Boyle, J James, B Gledhill, L Foran, V Mauro
Image courtesy of ukrugbyleague via YouTube, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
