Skipper Mal Alker has assured Salford fans he wants to remain a key figure in the Reds' future plans.

His name was bandied about at the weekend as a surprise target for a rival outfit in the Championship.

Alker insists there is nothing in this. He’s made it clear his future lies firmly with Salford both as a player and as a member of the coaching staff.

Alker says he was surprised by the link. He is out of contract at the end of the season but obviously wants to remain at Salford.

He said: "My loyalties lie firmly here with Salford and hopefully this will be the case for many more years.

"I’m not planning to move on, I’m happy. This is my club and it’s good and challenging to be combining playing and captaining duties with assisting the coaching staff.

"I’m giving it my all. Coaching and playing is taxing and it may be I will have to decide eventually which road I do go down.

"In the future, I’m looking at remaining part of Salford and it may be at the end of the year I will have to decide what is best for me. I still feel I have a lot to offer the team as a player. I love playing.

"I’ve looked after myself but going in to coaching has always appealed to me and Salford will always be a club I care greatly for. I just want to keep on doing my bit, trying to help bring success."

Football director Steve Simms has confirmed Alker is very much a key figure in Salford’s long-term plans.

Simms maintains this applies both to his playing and coaching duties alongside head coach Shaun McRae.

Simms said: "Mal is doing a fantastic job at this club.

"Take it from me, he’s very much long-term and he isn’t going anywhere because he has a key role to fulfil here on and off the field."