Preview: Castleford v Salford (Round 12)

Salford will be looking to get back to winning ways when they visit struggling Castleford on Sunday.

The Reds have lost ground on the leaders after losing back-to-back home games but they are boosted by the decision of skipper Malcolm Alker to commit his future to the club.

The popular hooker had agonised over an offer from Australian club St George Illawarra but on Friday finally put pen to a new three-year contract with Salford.

?My heart has always been with Salford and I love the city,? he said.

?You don?t spend 10 years at one place without some attachment to the place and I am honoured to be extending my stay and now have the chance to lead the club into the new stadium.?

Castleford are in freefall after losing their last five matches, conceding 106 points in their last two matches, but coach Terry Matterson is steadfastly refusing to contemplate the prospect of relegation.

?There are 17 games to play so there?s still a long way to go,? he said. ?If you keep looking round you, you forget what you are doing yourself.?

Matterson gives a debut to 24-year-old Peter Lupton, the former Leeds and London Broncos half-back who has joined the Tigers on loan from Hull.

?Peter is just the type of player that we have been looking for to get us around the park,? he said. ?He has a strong defence and a good kicking game.

?He is someone who we have been monitoring for some time and I believe that he will slot in and do a good job for us.?

Castleford v Salford, Sunday April 30, The Jungle

Castleford 18-man: Platt, Pryce, Shenton, Dyer, Blanch, Henderson, Nutley, Roarty, Bird, Huby, Whitaker, Viane, Fa'aoso, Manu, McGoldrick, Ward, Davis, Lupton.

Salford 18-man: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, McGuinness, Moule, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Finnigan, Charles, Langi, Wilshere, Haggerty, Littler, Myler, Baldwin, Brocklehurst, Clayton.

Ref P Bentham