Team news and starting line-ups for Salford Red Devils v Hull FC at the AJ Bell Stadium in Super League on Saturday, July 5 (kick-off 7.30pm). Read a match report and reaction at full-time.Hull FC
LEE Radford has been forced to make a number of changes to his side with captain Gareth Ellis ruled out with a back injury and fellow second row Chris Tuson missing with a neck problem.
Despite losing his two back rowers Radford has dropped Richard Whiting from his squad, offering the indication Dean Hadley will start in the second row, accompanied by Setaimata Sa, who shifts inside from the centre position.
Jordan Rankin is also expected to return to the team, with Radford having to pick between Richard Horne and Jordan Abdull to see who partners the young Aussie.Possible Hull FC line-up:: Shaul; Lineham, Talanoa, Yeaman, Lancaster; Horne, Rankin; Paea, Houghton, Watts; Hadley, Sa; Westerman.Subs: Bowden, Green, Heremaia, Paleaaesina, Thompson, Andull.Salford
Salford coach Iestyn Harris has made just one change to his squad with Lama Tasi suspended after his red card last week.
Gareth Hock looks set to returnPossible Salford:Locke; Johnson, Sa'u, Caton-Brown, J.Griffin; Fages, Chase; Morley, Lee, D.Griffin; Hock, Ashurst; Puletua.Subs: Rapira, Evalds, Walne, Walton, Hansen, Tomkims.Players to watch
WHILE Callum Lancaster's hat-trick last week ensured the teenager stole the headlines, Hull FC's opposite wingman quietly but impressively went about his own business.Fetuli Talanoa has rarely hit the headlines this season with his steady if unspectacular try scoring return, but he won't care about that with his coach hailing his performances and doing the shouting from the rooftops for him.
Lee Radford is a big admirer of Talanoa's skills, which include his strength in making sure he wins the ruck and his team a quick play the ball.
Always willing to make the hard carries, the Tongan is an asset with the ball but will have to be one without it too tonight.
Expected to move inside to centre, he'll find himself up against one of the brightest young talents around in Mason Caton-Brown.
The former London Broncos player has already developed a habit of scoring against Hull this year and will hope to continue that trend for his new side.
An elusive runner of the ball with terrific pace and a side step that can bamboozle defences, Caton-Brown will be a major threat to Hull, one which Talanoa and wing partner Tom Lineham have to contain.Salford form guide
WITH only two wins in their last 11 Super League games the Red Devils have struggled for form.
The arrival of coach Iestyn Harris did little to turn things around immediately, but they've looked better in recent weeks as the victory at Huddersfield proves.
The arrival of Kevin Locke and Mason Caton-Brown has sparked Salford and they needed it after a season that started with such big hope was in danger of finishing on an embarrassing note.
The play-offs are a long shot, but at least now they have some hope of finishing in the top eight.James Smailes' view
IT can be dressed up any way you want, but there's no escaping the importance of Saturday's clash at the AJ Bell Stadium for Hull FC.
The league table may tell a different story in terms of the play-offs, with Widnes' defeat at Wakefield keeping Hull within touching distance.
Defeat for Hull won't end their play-off hopes in a top-eight race that has all the hallmarks of going down to the last round of the season and being between possibly three if not four clubs.
But while a defeat at Salford won't mathematically end Hull's hopes, every game a current three-match streak without a win is extended by is another mountain to climb in terms of a top-eight finish.
Hull's run-in includes games against five of the current top six, with a derby match thrown in the mix too.
Facing such a testing period and with a trip to Wigan next week, Hull need to snap their current streak and put a big W back in the win column.
They'll not need to raise their performance massively from last week, but they'll need a bigger slice of luck.
When you're down decisions seem to go against you and that was certainly the case last week with Gene Ormsby's try awarded despite Joel Monaghan being clearly in an offside position, even if Ben Thaler defended his decision on Twitter this week.
Referee decisions are not why Hull find themselves in their current league position, however.
Clinical finishing and converting possession into points is the key. With Jordan Rankin back this week FC will hope to have more spark.
