Leeds Rhinos receive Wembley boost

Both finalists have seen players escape potential suspensions which would have ruled them out of Wembley on Saturday.

Leeds prop Tom Holroyd was put on report for an alleged dangerous “crusher” tackle in Thursday’s win over Hull FC and Salford full-back Dan Sarginson was also sin-binned for a similar offene in their victory against Huddersfield Giants.

But at today’s virtual Challenge Cup final press conference with both head coaches it was revealed the match review panel has decreed neither will face bans.

Salford coach Ian Watson said they had received a phone call to inform them that Sarginson had been given a Grade A charge with zero games.

And Rhinos boss Richard Agar added: “We felt we may have a judiciary on a tackle that would get looked at but that’s come through and Holroyd is all good to go.

“I’m pleased for both guys who were under suspicion for potential crusher tackles but I think it’s great that they have both been cleared to play.

“In the circumstances I think it would have been very, very difficult given the amount of football we’re playing - and we’ve got five games in 18 days - to schedule a Thursday night game and a Tuesday night game and then have guys out on judiciary.

“I’m pleased that it’s worked out on both ends.”

Agar also revealed that former Salford stand-off Robert Lui, who was left out with a slight knee issue against Hull, is also in contention.

“He’s fine; he’s trained yesterday and will get a full week’s training in,” said the coach, whose much-changed side have a Super League game to contend with against Warrington Wolves tomorrow.

“We had a clean bill of health for training yesterday with 35 players out there. We’re all good.

“We’ve not got anyone with any (Covid) symptoms or anything like that.

“Not that I think that they’d tell us at this point anyway!

“But it will be about 9 o’clock tonight when we get our Covid test results back.

“We’ve just got a couple of (Wembley) spots to decide.

“We’ve got 14 or 15 names locked in. We may put our team out earlier in the week just to stop all the questions coming in.

“We’ll work out after tomorrow night if any guys have to back-up. I

“It could be one or two or potentially a situation where we don’t have any.”

Salford hope to have Tyrone McCarthy fit after the ex-Hull KR forward spent time in hospital last week with a gastric illness.

Watson said: “He’s a lot better. He’s not been in training but just light work away from the place.

“We fully expect him back in tomorrow morning.

“He’s a hell of a lot better than he was a few days ago after spending a night in hospital.

“Fingers crossed he will (play). He’s played there before but these are the types of occasions he plays the game for and he loves.”

Salford do expect to have to see at least five players who play Hull KR tomorrow afternoon back up at Wembley in their first final since 1969.

“It’s nothing new for us; the boys are used to it,” said Watson.

“We don’t have a big squad and there will probably be 12 players who won’t play who will feature on Saturday.

“Other than that, everyone else will feature.”