Rowley hopeful of 'light at end of tunnel' for Salford

Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley is hopeful there is "light at the end of the tunnel" for his troubled club.

They have lost all four Super League games so far in 2025 after starting the season under a sustainability cap.

While the takeover by an investment group led by Swiss banker Dario Berta is progressing, a delay in funds being transferred led to wages for February being held up and the cap being reintroduced.

Rowley refused to confirm whether staff have now been paid or not, but BBC Radio Manchester understands that they have.

"We just need to plough our way through this difficult period," said Rowley, who was 50 on Wednesday.

"But I think there's some light at the end of the tunnel now and hopefully this week will present us with an opportunity to kick-start it.

"It's usually a performance or a win that kicks you on to bigger and better things."

Salford, who finished fourth in Super League in 2024, are currently bottom as they prepare for Friday's home Challenge Cup tie against Bradford Bulls.

Rowley believes he will be able to use the same players who featured against Castleford Tigers last Friday, when captain Kallum Watkins and key half-back Marc Sneyd made their first appearances of the season, although restrictions are still in place.

Beating the Championship side and moving into the last eight of the competition would provide a distraction from the other issues swirling around the club.

"It's the shortest route to a cup, it's almost tangible if you get through this round," he said.

"You're in a quarter-final and that adds a bit of gravitas to it already, that's an achievement in itself. So absolutely, it's a welcome distraction."