Alker fails to show at Salford

Salford are waiting for suspended assistant coach Malcolm Alker to make the next move in his apparent dispute with the Super League club, who are still operating without a head coach.

The former captain, who joined the staff after retiring as a player last season, was ordered home from training late last week by football director Steve Simms.

The former hooker, who is thought to have sought advice from the players' trade union, a wing of the GMB, was expected at the club yesterday but Simms said: "He's not back and I've not heard from him."