SALFORD City Reds have never had it so good in terms of top-class homegrown talent.

Coach Shaun McRae is surrounded by talented young bucks who are determined to play their part in the club's bid for an immediate return to Super League.

The Reds' youth system is clearly working well and it is producing talented lads who are ready to step up into the senior ranks.

Luke Adamson, a 20-year-old former schoolboy rugby union star, is one such rising star who is making his second trip to Jacksonville for pre-season training. He cut his teeth in Super League last year and quickly confirmed his potential as a talented forward.

Adamson's own ambition is there for all to see as he trains hard in the Florida sun in readiness for what is a crucial campaign. The youngsters are really impressing and earning their spurs in a variety of challenging drills.

He told MEN Sport: "I consider myself very fortunate to be doing something that I love for a living.

"I really enjoy the great environment that I am part of every day within the Salford club. The strong bonding factor among the squad is a major part of the set-up.

"That can be seen out here in Jacksonville. Coming out to Florida is superb. I greatly benefited from my first experience of it this time last year and will do so again."

"I was naturally disappointed at the end of last season when we were relegated because I wanted to stay in Super League and keep showing I had the ability to play at this level.

Competition

"We now face a totally different kind of competition in the National League and if a player earns the chance to start, he knows he needs to shine and really be on top of his game. Ideally, I want to play regularly and hopefully be involved in every game. The competition is strong and that's good. Players who have been here for a number of years are even wondering if they will be playing regularly, such is the increased competition.

"We know it is going to be very physically demanding and that's why I have been working tremendously hard building myself up.

"Me, and my teammates Lee Jewitt and Stephen Nash decided to start training every day six weeks before pre-season training started. I have been working on both my attack and my defence. The wrestling drills we have been doing in training have also helped the defensive aspect of my game.

"I am one of the youngest players in the squad and it's a case of having to keep working very hard and looking to improve all the time as you look to reach your potential."

Football director Steve Simms is delighted to see players in the Adamson mould coming through and staking a claim to be in McRae's starting line-up. He says: "We are prepared to give these young lads the chance to show what they are capable of.

"There is no doubting their potential and we give them every opportunity to progress.

"To be successful, you have to have the right kind of structures in place and we know we have. There is a lot of outstanding talent within the club and we are expecting big things from these players."

Adamson is quick to sing the praises of his fellow rookies. He says: "Stefan Ratchford has so much skill, and the way he reads a game is just brilliant. Jordan Turner is another very clever player with bags of ability. He is very elusive and deceptive.

"Many others are showing the same kind of promise. Salford are just a great club to play for. All the senior players are willing to pass on advice and to put you in your place should they need to - something from which a young player benefits."

Jason Walton, Leon Walker and Luke Ambler have progressed into the senior squad and are now in the position Luke Adamson was at this time last year.

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