SALFORD coach Shaun McRae has confirmed that the five players who underwent close season surgery will all miss the Reds’ friendly fixture at Leigh Centurions on Sunday, December 28.

But he hopes that all five players – skipper Malc Alker (shoulder), Robbie Paul (shoulder), Mark Henry (shoulder), Stephen Nash (wrist) and Ian Sibbit (wrist) – will have completed their recoveries in time to feature in the Florida friendly with Leeds on Saturday, January 17, 2009.

Ireland World Cup stars Stuart Littler and Karl Fitzpatrick will both be in contention for the Leigh game with them set to begin pre-season training on Monday, December 15.

That will take the number of first team squad members taking part in pre-season training to 23 out of 28.

McRae said as the Advertiser went to press last night, Wednesday, December 10: "Some of our new signings are not here yet and the players who took part in the World Cup are having a much needed rest.

"But I am pleased with how pre-season training has gone so far. The players’ attitudes have been very good but the bad weather is proving to be a problem. That is why going to Jacksonville, where the weather and facilities are so good, in January is so important."

Salford have moved their training base from Sedgley Park to Salford University’s Tom Husband Leisure Centre and Castle Irwell sports ground.

The entire first team are now using the university’s gyms and pool facilities for their training, physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation – enabling sport science, physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation students to work with the elite athletes.

Salford’s director of football Steve Simms said: "The use of the fantastic facilities that Salford University can offer is a great step forward for the Reds and will create one of the most professional rugby league training facilities in the engage Super League."