Goudling said: "They've got three players in their squad who are on more money than the whole of my squad put together but I'm very happy with what I've got. I can't expect anything else from my squad - they've given 120 per cent.

"In rugby league you don't have friendlies and we showed some good signs against Oldham. We can only get better. That Oldham game is our base and we've got better.

"We have to concentrate on what we can do and what we're capable of. I don't worry about the opposition and I never did as a player."

Shaun McRae takes charge of his first Northern Rail Cup fixture intent on getting the Reds off to a winning start.

Salford have just returned from a warm weather training camp in Jacksonville and McRae is confident the trip was worthwhile.

He said: "There were so many positives that I struggle to find any negatives out of the whole trip.
"Everybody is fully aware of what our goals and objectives are. Clearly we want to win the games we play but you can't give any guarantees in any game of rugby league." Rest of the matches.