Salford may play their assistant coaches at Hull on Friday due to their ongoing injury crisis

Salford coach Iestyn Harris says his two right-hand men, Martin Gleeson and Ian Watson, may both have to come out of retirement for Friday's Super League game at Hull.

The Red Devils tried to have the game postponed because they could be without up to 20 players due to injury and suspension.

However, their request was turned down by Hull and Harris is now attempting to make the best of the situation.

"The request was made but obviously both teams have to agree and Hull were well within their rights not to," he said.

"We've got to adhere to that, which we will do, and we'll take the challenge on."

Salford picked up more injuries during Sunday’s 22-20 loss to Castleford, meaning coaching assistants Gleeson and Watson may be called upon against Hull.

Scrum-half Watson last played when he lined up for Swinton in the Championship last June but he stepped up his training last week, in case he was needed against Castleford.

Gleeson, a former St Helens, Warrington and Wigan centre who had a brief seven-match spell at Hull in 2011, played his most recent Super League match for Salford last May.

We'd have to get dispensation for that to happen but certainly Gleese is not too long retired. He's only six to eight months retired and Ian's the same.

But Harris said: “It's something we've internally discussed.

"It's not new, is it? Two or three years ago (Hull coach) Lee Radford came out of retirement and played for Hull when they were going through similar injury issues, so it's not unheard of.

“We'd have to get dispensation for that to happen but certainly Gleese is not too long retired. He's only six to eight months retired and Ian's the same."

Prop Darrell Griffin missed the Castleford game due to suspension and will be back on Friday but Harris is unsure if any of his dozen or so injured men will be available.

"We're assessing it daily," he said. "We'll make that call as we get close to the game. We're on a shorter turn-around and will only find out in the middle of the week on a couple of question marks.

"We have got a lot of injuries but it just gives other people an opportunity I suppose.

"From my point of view and the players' point of view, we're being positive about the challenge ahead. Any game of rugby league is a good challenge but Hull at Hull is always tough, irrespective of where they are in the table.

"Our 19-man squad will go out tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday) and that will give people an indication of where we are because we won't play any games with that. It will be a pretty genuine 19, although we can make amendments if we need to."

A Rugby Football League spokesman has confirmed Salford could ask for dispensation under the salary-cap regulations to bring in additional players on short-term loan arrangements.

The Red Devils have until noon on Thursday to register any new players, including members of their backroom staff.