Hull take gamble on disgraced Reardon

Hull have signed Stuart Reardon, the former Great Britain full-back with a possible jail sentence hanging over him. Reardon was sacked by Warrington last week and will be sentenced on 23 April for an assault on his estranged wife.

Despite that, Hull have taken a chance on him by agreeing a contract for the rest of this season. Reardon, capped five times during his days as a Bradford player, could make his debut today against a St Helens side including his co-accused, Leon Pryce.

Although Reardon has not played since last May because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, he has been drafted straight into his new club's 19-man squad against the Super League leaders. He replaces Craig Hall, who has been filling in at full-back during the absence of Motu Tony and Todd Byrne with injuries.

The timing of his arrival is ironic, as Hull have just launched a campaign against domestic violence in partnership with the NHS.

"Whilst my actions were totally out of character, I accept that does not justify or excuse my behaviour, which I deeply regret," Reardon said in a statement. "I'm hoping that moving to Hull will give me a new start."

Sean Long is back in the Saints squad after recovering from his thigh injury, but Kyle Eastmond could still have a role after his impressive contribution as a substitute at Wigan.

Lee Briers is in line to be back in action for Reardon's former club today. The half-back missed Warrington's defeat at Salford on Good Friday with a thigh injury, amid gathering rumours that his departure from the club was imminent, but he is in the squad to face Castleford this afternoon.

Salford, boosted by two wins in a week, go to second-placed Leeds. They could have Mark Henry and Karl Fitzpatrick back to strengthen their squad at Headingley. Leeds are likely to be unchanged from the team that lost to Bradford on Friday.

Salford are now four points ahead of the last-placed Celtic Crusaders, who go in search of their first Super League victory at Bridgend, where Harlequins are the visitors. The Welsh side have two experienced forwards back in Mark Bryant and Darren Mapp, but are still without Jace Van Dijk and Matty Smith. Quins, still looking in vain for any sort of consistency, add Danny Orr, Chad Robinson and Danny Ward to their squad. Wakefield are at home to Bradford, while Hull KR entertain Huddersfield.