Salford Reds are believed to have sounded out Peter Gentle, the assistant coach of the West Tigers, to see if he is interested in becoming the club’s new head coach.

Reports from Australia claim that Gentle, who was linked with Huddersfield and Saints last season, has already spoken with Reds bosses and confirmed the Salford job does interest him.

Gentle, who is also the assistant coach for the Australian national team, is keen to coach in Super League but he could only come at the end of this season when his commitments with the Tigers are over.

Gentle visited the UK last year. He is definitely on Reds’ radar after Kurt Wrigley, the assistant coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, appeared not overly keen on taking up the challenge Salford presents.

Michael Maguire, who will take over at the Rabbitohs next season, wants Wrigley to stay but has said he will not stand in his way if an opportunity to become head coach either in NRL or Super League arises.

Senior Reds stars were said to be keen on Wrigley but Gentle now appears to be ahead of him in the pecking order. Ian Millward, the Leigh coach, is also in the frame. Jim Dymock Andrew Dunemann and Adrian Lam have also attracted interest.

Wilkinson has a number of options open to him. Vacancies both at home and in Australia are at a premium but he can at least offer an exciting and attractive proposition.

The question is will he travel 12,000 miles across the world to seek out a new coach, or will he make a 12-mile round trip to Leigh and bring Ian Millward back into Super League?

Despite huge interest in the job within Australia, Millward continues to be strongly linked with Salford even though he has not applied for the post.

The quality of applicants within Australia is impressive and according to football director Steve Simms if you plan to buy in Australia, it’s better to sit down with a potential target and look them in the eye.

Simms said: “A trip to Australia for a short visit can be gruelling – it’s 30 hours travel – but if it’s got to be done for the best interest of this club then we must do it.”

Many of the Salford players would  favour an overseas appointment.

They have an influential Aussie skipper in Daniel Holdsworth and a marquee signing from the NRL in Luke Patten.

Phil Veivers has done a fine job since taking charge bearing in mind what has gone on this season and he has the backing of the players.

M.E.N. Sport understands that the charismatic Ellery Hanley would be very interested in the Salford job.

Jimmy Lowes, the ex-Reds assistant under Karl Harrison, is also desperate for a head coach’s post and is currently with Leeds, with French coach Bobbie Goulding another interested party.

:: Warrington forward Ben Harrison has been cleared of a broken ankle but is facing a lay-off with ligament damage.

The 23-year-old was carried off on a stretcher in the early stages of Sunday's Challenge Cup fourth-round tie against Keighley.

What do you think? Have your say.