SALFORD are in the unique position of having their hopes of a top-eight finish hinging on matters off the field.

The club presented their case for their six-point deduction for breaching salary cap regulations to a judge on Wednesday, but it was ruled today that the penalty would be upheld.

This means Ian Watson’s side will be almost certainly confined to the Middle Eights for another season, while the restoration of the points would have their hopes of mixing it with the best in Super League a serious lift.

On the field, the Red Devils’ 22-18 win over Castleford last week broke a streak of three consecutive losses that threatened to put paid to their hopes of avoiding the Qualifiers for good.

Ben Murdoch-Masila and Junior Sa’u have impressed, while winger Justin Carney always provides fearsome opposition.

There will be a touch of familiarity about the Salford side, with former Wolves man Gareth O’Brien set to line up at full back and make his first return to The Halliwell Jones Stadium since leaving at the end of last season.

Teenage hooker Sean Kenny is also set to feature after making the move to the AJ Bell Stadium last month.

Salford 19-man squad: Gareth O’Brien, Mason Caton-Brown, Niall Evalds, Josh Griffin, Adam Walne, Robert Lui, Weller Hauraki, Michael Dobson, Mark Flanagan, Logan Tomkins, Craig Kopczak, Ben Murdoch-Masila, George Griffin, Josh Jones, Sean Kenny, Greg Johnson, Junior Sa’u, Ryan Lannon, Jordan Walne.