Hull blame Reardon's fitness

Hull have defended their actions in signing and then releasing Stuart Reardon over the course of 12 days. The former Great Britain full-back, who was sentenced to a 12-week suspended prison term for assault this week, moved after being released by Warrington but later failed a medical on the Achilles tendon that has prevented him from playing all year.

Hull's chief executive, James Rule, said that the signing had always been subject to the examination but that the club had gone ahead with registering him in order to have him available if he was passed fit.

Hull have suffered from a spate of injuries in their outside backs this season, with Gareth Raynor, Motu Tony and Todd Byrne among the long-term absentees. "Stuart is a quality player and he was available," Rule said, but the scan showed further trauma, forcing Hull to pull out of the deal. "It's disappointing for our fans, but Stuart has walked away with no hard feelings," he said.

Hull have Richard Horne and Peter Cusack fit for their game against Salford tonight. Richard Agar's team must try to put an end to their six-match losing streak, however, without their prop Paul King, who is still sidelined with an eye injury.

Darrell Goulding, on loan from Wigan, will make his home debut for Salford, but they will be without the injured Mark Henry and Ian Sibbit, who is serving a one-match ban.

Goulding made his first appearance for the City Reds in the defeat at the Catalan Dragons last weekend, but his new coach, Shaun McRae, believes he will be more effective today.

"He only had one training session before playing," McRae said . "This week he will be a lot more comfortable. It's very difficult for any outside back when you have no ball and we certainly had none in the second half in France."

Barrow have firmly denied reports that they have signed Warrington's long-serving half-back Lee Briers on a three-year deal. There has been speculation about his future since the arrival of Tony Smith as Wolves coach, but Briers has said he wants to stay at the club and is expected to play for them against Huddersfield tomorrow.

Richie Mathers is also included in the Warrington squad for the first time since joining from Wigan in part-exchange for Martin Gleeson.

Nathan Cayless, who captained New Zealand to victory in last year's World Cup, has retired from internationals to concentrate on his club career with Parramatta.