Leeds Rhinos still have belief, says head coach Brian McDermott

Head coach Brian McDermott insisted there is no self-doubt in the Leeds Rhinos camp after last season's treble winners slipped to an eighth Super League defeat in 10 outings this season against Salford Red Devils on Saturday.

Playmaker Robert Lui returned from a four-game injury lay-off to mastermind only the second ever Salford Super League success over Leeds in 37 attempts.

Leeds, who host in-form Hull FC on Friday, remain second bottom and a shadow of their 2015 selves after this 14-10 reverse.

But McDermott said: "The players are tight together and the players are strong. Its unbelievably frustrating for the injured players on the sidelines watching this unfold. We are going through some experiences together as a group that are not easy.

"But I don't think anyone is going home racked with self-doubt. It is clear what we need to do and clear how we need to do it."

Leeds, with nine first-teamers undergoing treatment, also lost forward Mitch Achurch with an ankle problem.

"Everyone wants their preferred 13 out there," McDermott added. "But I am keen not to keep making it about injuries. Have we got injuries? Yes. Could we have won that tonight with the team we had out? I thought we were capable of doing that.

"There are certain things - and I say it every week - but you try and find a different way of saying it. The level of preparation we haven't been able to do because of the flood [of the club's Kirkstall training ground at Christmas] and the injuries have had a bearing.

"I can't use that line for too long though. We need to come up with some performances to get us a win. But there things out of our control."

Salford head coach Ian Watson said: "We've not beaten them for a long time. But most importantly we got a win and it puts us back to where we want to be, challenging towards the top end rather than looking below us."