SALFORD City Reds have today come out fighting ahead of Sunday's crucial relegation clash with Castleford by insisting the club will survive in Super League.

Resilient Reds bosses have also vowed to what's become a fiercely contested four club dogfight at the foot of the table.

Reds are intent on preserving top flight status. Survival is vital for Karl Harrison's team - the knock on effect of relegation could have serious repercussions for a club geared up to its move to a new stadium at Barton.

Steve Simms the club's Australian football director claims strength, self belief and steely qualities can prove invaluable in the weeks ahead.

Simms and fellow club officials also know Sunday's scrap with basement club Tigers is a must win clash.

Simms told MEN Sport: "The make up of the side and the determination throughout the squad will guarantee we stay in Super League.

"Everyone we play says we will stay up and we simply have to hang in there and keep toughing it out.

"A lot of our players are still learning about playing Super League but we are not a bad team.

"When we get 17 players on the field and are fully focused for the full 80 minutes, we are capable of beating anyone.

"This kind of performance is just around the corner - the competition at this level is very keen and we have been desperately unlucky in many games - the players remain very determined and they will keep the club up."

Too good

Former Reds coach Andy Gregory echoes Steve Simms' sentiments - he also believes the Reds are far too good to go down and return to National League.

Gregory told MEN Sport "Reds wont go down - Karl Harrison is doing a good job.

"I've seen the plans John Wilkinson has for the club and Salford will not be relegated - I've been impressed with them this season - they've been very unlucky to lose quite a number of games.

"They have class players and they also have a great deal of spirit - the kind that is needed to stay up."

Gregory believes pack aces Mal Alker and neil Baynes hold the key to Reds survival.

He adds: "Alker is a tremendous player and an inspirational captain - I signed him - I used to play amateur rugby league with his dad - Mal is totally committed and a great player.

"I've always had a very high regard for Baynes - this lad has plenty of ability and you need your pack to play well to be competitive.

"Its also only fair to give the forwards a pat on the back because they are so vital."

Reds are currently four points clear of basement club Castleford and have already won at the Jungle.

The return of Ellery Hanley has so far failed to inspire the Tigers who were crushed 32-10 at home last weekend by Warrington.

Wakefield appear safe with 14 points but the fight for survival sees Salford battling it out alongside Widnes, London and the toothless Tigers who are many peoples favourites to go down.

Reds coach Karl Harrison and Steve Simms agree, with a bit more luck Salford could have had at least six more points in the bag by now.

Simms adds: "We have been unlucky at times, decisions have gone against us but we prefer to look ahead. Sundays game is a big one and I just hope we get great backing because this can be so vital in what is a very important match - we have to make the most of home advantage."

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