SALFORD Red Devils head coach Ian Watson is confident he will have the services of former Warrington Wolves forward Tyrone McCarthy for the Challenge Cup Final against Leeds Rhinos at Wembley on Saturday.

Warrington born-and-bred McCarthy, a former Woolston Rovers junior who won the cup twice with The Wire in 2009 and 2012 while also skippering Hull KR in their 2015 Wembley appearance, spent a night in hospital last week with a stomach complaint.

“He’s hell of a lot better,” Watson said.

“Everything came back clear. He’s just doing some light work away from the place but we’re fully expecting him back tomorrow morning and we’ll take it from there.

“Fingers crossed for him. I know he’s played at Wembley a couple of times before but these are the occasions he plays the game for.”

Salford, as underdogs and in making their first appearance in the final for 51 years, are likely to have the support of the neutrals.

And Warrington fans are likely to have a number of ex-Wire players in the Salford line-up to cheer on.

Kevin Brown and Rhys Williams were also a part of the Salford side that ended Warrington's hopes in the semi-finals nine days ago.