Sick McRae adds to Salford's woes

Salford's difficult start to the season has become more complicated with the absence of their coach, Shaun McRae, on sick leave. McRae, in the last year of a four-year contract, phoned in ill this week, will miss tomorrow night's game against Wigan and is expected to be sidelined for a month on medical advice.

With assistant coach Phil Veivers also away from The Willows following a family bereavement in Australia, the team will be prepared by another assistant, Malcolm Alker, and the club's director of rugby, Steve Simms.

McRae was verbally abused by supporters after the heavy home defeat by St Helens.