Reds v Dragons: Teams

At The Willows, Friday August 7, kick-off 8pm

Last updated: 7th August 2009

Reds v Dragons: Teams

Bell: Ruled out

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Catalans Dragons will be looking to register their first ever point at The Willows when they take on lowly Salford.

The French club have been beaten 16-0 and 10-0 on their only two previous visits to the home of the City Reds.

Their hopes of breaking their duck on Friday night are not helped by the absence of key duo Greg Bird and Steve Bell.

Skipper Bird is serving a one-match ban after being found guilty of a reckless challenge in the final minute of the Dragons' 34-0 victory over rock-bottom Celtic Crusaders last weekend.

Australian Bell is ruled out through injury. Dragons coach Kevin Walters will choose between Cyril Stacul and Vincent Duport as a replacement.

The Dragons know a win in a fixture postponed back in June due to the France v England international could push them into the play-off positions.

Welcome return

Salford, who currently sit 13th in the table and are playing for nothing but pride, look set to welcome back Karl Fitzpatrick.

The full-back is poised to return to action having not featured in the first team since the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Hull FC in April.

Head coach Shaun McRae has selected Jason Walton in his 19-man squad, with Lewis Pal­frey making way.

The Reds will be looking to end a four-match losing run that started after their stunning 20-10 win over St Helens. They were beaten 30-24 by Wakefield last time out.

Meanwhile, Australian Craig Stapleton has confirmed that he will leave Salford at the end of the current campaign to return Down Under.

Salford squad: Wilshere, Henry, Littler, Walton, McGilvray, Smith, Ratchford, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Sidlow, Swain, Paul, Sibbit, Leuluai, Nash, Fitzpatrick, Myler.

Catalans Dragons squad: Baile, Stacul, Bentley, Perry, Bosc, Carlaw, Casty, Croker, Duport, Fakir, Guisset, Gossard, Greenshields, Martins, McGuire, Mogg, Mounis, Pelo, Ryles.