Salford City Reds owner Marwan Koukash says Rangi Chase is staying
Thursday 4 June 2015 13:34, UK
Salford City Reds owner Marwan Koukash has dismissed speculation star half-back Rangi Chase will leave at the end of the season.
Chase has been ruled out since Easter due to suspension and with the Reds having lost all seven of their games in the interim, Koukash is delighted to have the 2011 Man of Steel available for Friday's clash with St Helens.
"There were rumours that we were about to offload him but Rangi's not going anywhere," Koukash said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him on Friday.
There were rumours that we were about to offload him but Rangi's not going anywhere.
"He's got this year and two more years at least. He's not going anywhere. I want him to stay and he also wants to stay."
Koukash was also positive over the future of 20-year-old half-back Theo Fages, who has shown great promise in Chase's absence.
He said: "We are very keen to put Theo on a long-term deal. He's going to be one of the smartest half-backs in the country.
"It's been a tough season for us but, if there are any positives to come out of it, it's the emergence of Theo Fages and Niall Evalds, who is developing into a very good full-back and justifiably is keeping Kevin Locke out of the team."
New Zealand superstar Locke is contracted to the Reds to the end of 2017 but recently underwent minor knee surgery and has played in just 13 games since his arrival.
"I've nothing against Kevin but the emergence of Niall Evalds is going to keep him out of the side and it's unfair on Kevin to be watching or having to be offloaded to a Championship team for a loan period," Koukash said.
"I don't think Iestyn or anybody at the club can justify dropping Evalds for Kevin just because his name is Kevin Locke.
"We're not desperate to offload him. Meanwhile, what Kevin needs to do is make sure he is fully fit and knocking at Iestyn's door for a place in the team."
