Salford's hopes for the season have been dealt a heavy blow with news of a season-ending injury to winger Paul White.
Winger's season KO is a huge blow for the ailing Reds
Salford City Reds' hopes for the season have been dealt a heavy blow with news of a season-ending injury for winger Paul White.
The 26-year-old former Huddersfield and Wakefield star scored 30 tries in becoming the club's leading tryscorer in 2008.
He returned with a try just 64 seconds into his first appearance of the new season against Hull KR at the weekend.
But he aggravated a knee injury and was replaced just 30 minutes into the 48-12 defeat, leaving coach Shaun McRae with a real problem.
"We have to wait a period of time for the inflammation to go down before he can have surgery," McRae said.
"But it looks like he will need a full knee reconstruction, so we've seen the last of Paul for 2009."
Opportunity
White joins former St Helens centre Willie Talau, signed in the off-season, as the second major casualty on the list of absentees.
Talau is still recovering from an operation on his cheekbone and a tear to his tricep although that could pave the way for youngster Eddie Vaughn to get his chance in Super League.
The Warrington-born full-back or winger, signed as a 16-year-old through the Reds' Foundation, has started to train with the first team after catching the eye in the reserves.
It is not all bad news for the club, though, with scrum-half Richie Myler and winger Dean McGilvray said to have recovered from knocks picked up at Craven Park.
Second rower Ian Sibbit should also be available as the Reds seek to halt a six-match losing run in Sunday's Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth-round tie at Hull FC.
