Sarsfield heading for Whitehaven, but as a player or spectator?

Halifax's on loan Salford back rower Matt Sarsfield says he is likely to be at Whitehaven's Recreation Ground on Saturday night - regardless of whether he is recalled for the Reds' Super League trip to Leeds on Friday night.
Matt Sarsfield scores against SheffieldMatt Sarsfield scores against Sheffield
Matt Sarsfield scores against Sheffield

Sarsfield, who scored seven tries in four games during an initial month-long stay at the Shay, including a hat trick in last weekend’s 60-22 win over Sheffield, is now on a week-to-week deal that could see him flit between the two clubs.

“We’ve signed off on a week to week, but Salford can call Matt back at any time,” confirmed Fax boss Richard Marshall.

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“That was a stipulation of it happening and while it’s not ideal I’ve got a good relationship with Ian Watson so I’m hopeful we can make it work.

“Matt’s been excellent for us; the tries are the icing on the cake, but he reads the game well and he’s got some good habits from being involved with clubs like Salford, Huddersfield and Wigan.”

But the player himself is adamant he will be heading to Cumbria for Saturday’s Championship fixture (6.30), whether it’s as a player or a spectator.

“I’ll have a drive up there on Saturday anyway, even if I’m not playing,” said Sarsfield, who did train with Fax on Tuesday night.

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“The Salford game is on the Friday night so I can get myself up there to watch anyway.

“It’s up to Salford now, I’m week to week at Halifax so it’s all down to them.

“It’s out of my hands, it just depends how their squad is and whether they have any injuries.

“I’ve really enjoyed my rugby here though and I think I’m going back a better player.

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“This is the first time I’ve played four games on the bounce in a year, maybe two years.

“That’s done me the world of good and since I’ve been here we’ve built each week as a team.

“We’ve all bought into working hard for each other, being positive and defending our errors.

“We had the game against Oldham and that brought us together because we had to dig deep and since then we’ve had two great performances against Featherstone and Sheffield.

“I’ve loved every minute of it.”