Manchester, United Kingdom---Salford Red Devils coach Iestyn Harris is hoping to welcome a quartet of players back into the fold next weekend as they look to build on a much-needed win at Wakefield.
Kiwi-born captain Harrison Hansen led by example for the visitors, crossing over twice in a 24-16 victory that put to bed an eight-match losing run in all competitions.
That was despite Harris losing three influential players - including ex-NRL duo Lama Tasi and Weller Hauraki - not long before the Wakefield clash.
And he believes that with those two back in the fold and a couple more returning to full fitness, the Red Devils can be a match for Wigan on Friday.
"We lost Lama Tasi, Weller Hauraki and Liam Hood in the team run and should be ok for Friday," said Harris. "We're hoping Michael Dobson will be back soon too.
"To get that win is really important for us, it has been that long and we can go to Wigan on Friday with confidence on the back of a win.
"It was always going to be close, we knew we'd have to grind it out and get the win and we did. It's about taking each game as they come and trying to grow some confidence and momentum."
Elsewhere on Sunday, Warrington Wolves saw a half-time lead quickly slip away at Huddersfield Giants, who ran in four second-half tries to clinch a 30-19 win.
The Wolves had injury troubles of their own, with Ben Currie and Gareth O'Brien both forced off during the clash, but head coach Tony Smith made no excuses for the result.
"We are down on troops at the moment - I think we had nine out today," said the Australian. "Then we lost Currie after the first try and lost our half-back halfway through that second half.
"We're down on rotation but that's no excuse. That's what the game is about - being able to handle that - and I thought they handled it slightly better that us.
"I was really proud of our defence - we didn't let in any soft tries. Their kicking game was slightly better than ours. We were pleased with our kicking game, generally speaking, and defensively we were pretty sound for the most part."
Elsewhere St Helens went top of the pile with victory over Wigan Warriors, leapfrogging Leeds Rhinos after they were beaten at home by an inspired Castleford Tigers side.
Hull KR got back to winning ways against Widnes Vikings - Ken Sio and Josh Mantellato with five tries between them - and their city rivals, Hull FC, suffered defeat.
AFP
