Simms rebuilds at Salford by raiding Widnes for trio

The goal-kicking stand-off, Stephen Myler, has joined on a one-year contract, the Australian centre, Aaron Moule, for two years and the loose forward, Simon Finnigan on a three-year contract.

"There's a lot of experience there, but they're all quite young," said Salford's director of football, Steve Simms, who still hopes to add Leeds' Andrew Dunemann to his squad.

Meanwhile, Widnes, who are expected to step up their efforts to persuade Steve McCormack to be their next coach if Whitehaven fail to clinch promotion to Super League on Sunday, are set to sign two fringe players from Wigan, Bob Beswick and David Allen.

Leeds' Great Britain centre, Keith Senior, was seeing a specialist yesterday and hoping to be told that he will be able to play in the Super League Grand Final on 15 October. Senior has not played since aggravating an ankle injury in the Challenge Cup final against Hull in August.

Leeds' reserve loose forward, Carl Ablett, has rejected a permanent move to the London Broncos, with whom he spent the latter stages of the season on loan.

Hull are the latest club to consider making Friday night the regular time for their Super League fixtures. Bradford have already made that switch for next season.

Australia's second rower, Nathan Hindmarsh, has expressed "surprise and frustration'" at being left out of the Tri-Nations after failing a fitness test on his knee.

The Australian coach, Wayne Bennett, has backed the judgment of the team doctor. "Nathan's health is our priority," Bennett said, "and the doctor didn't think he would be in a position to play for at least a month."