[quote="Leeds_Luke":2mb3uz2a]Isn't the club trained dispensation capped at £100k per year, and we are already at that limit? I'm also confused about the lack of cap space. Blease has said publicly several times that we are still in the market for another signing, if the right player comes along. Is he wrong, or simply making it up?[/quote:2mb3uz2a]We may have some cap space but not enough to sign a player on a large contract such as Watkins.

[quote="JRhino1":2o79502a]I’ve been really busy with work etc so not had chance to catch up with my source until yesterday. So Blease & Hetherington are really pushing to sign Watkins but it all depends on dispensation on the cap as we have no wriggle room at all apparently which is a bit of a shock considering we’ve released 10 players and only brought in 5 signings however I think this shows that a fair chunk of our squad is on top money and some probably overpaid for what they produce. If Watkins was to resign for Leeds 50k of his wage would be payed by the RFL due to being club trained. The Harvey Livett Signing seems unlikely now as Leeds are fully focusing trying to get the Watkins deal over the line. Finally injury report and it’s the usual case of us been told Jarred O’Connor- likely return between round 3-6 Alfie Edgell- no return date yet from fractured jaw Ned McCormack- knock unknown how serious Ben Littlewood- knock unknown how serious Jake Connor- knock not thought to be serious and should play this week Lachie Miller- return to play round 1-2 We’d have to have some serious rotten luck if we lost all 3 fullback options to injury.[/quote:2o79502a] Thanks for your service, Jr. What will be, will be, with Watkins. If we pull it off, great. If not, just let Littlewood have a go and see how we get on. The S+C has been frustrating for a few years. As it's been said, we've been unfit for years, but we've also picked up knocks and injuries like nobody's business. I know Hunwicks left the club half way through last year (though the impact he had on the team in his second spell doesn't seem too impressive, unless I'm missing something) and he just seems to be replaced internally. The partnership with Leeds Met/Beckett/Poly produces some good sports scientists, but we don't seem to bear the fruits of it. Hopefully this is just down to it being an intense pre-season, and it'll ease off during the season.

Hearing that Salford will be safe and won't need to offload players

I hope that's right. That's the best outcome for the game as a whole.

[quote="Once were Loiners":2ga0puid]I hope that's right. That's the best outcome for the game as a whole.[/quote:2ga0puid] It is if it's a long term solution. If it's merely kicking the can down the road for 6 to 12 months then not so much.

So if rumours are Salford are safe I can’t imagine us still signing Watkins if they don’t need to sell which is a shame but also happy for Salford

seems as sivo is out for season can't we get some salary dispensation?

[quote="Toblakai":ac7mclev]seems as sivo is out for season can't we get some salary dispensation?[/quote:ac7mclev] Looks that way, the question would be who is available to sign at this late stage?

Might be one where we go into the season and see if anyone becomes available.

I feel the club will 100% get Sivo dispensed from our 2025 cap he is also one of our marquee players so can’t see Blease & Hetherington just allowing Sivo’s salary and place being wasted. It’s so unfortunate for Sivo I think he would have been great for us hopefully he can recover as best as possible and his start with us is just delayed a year. Can’t see us rushing to replace him so late into pre season and don’t think it’ll be like for like as we do have plenty of cover for the wings at the moment. Handley, Hall, Edgell, Lumb, McCormack & Simpson can all be options on the wing. I can still see Miller possibly being used there as well this season. But we now effectively have a 25 man squad for the season and I don’t think it’ll stay that way so can definitely see Leeds putting Sivo’s place to use mid season.

[quote="JRhino1":3twxh7br]I feel the club will 100% get Sivo dispensed from our 2025 cap he is also one of our marquee players so can’t see Blease & Hetherington just allowing Sivo’s salary and place being wasted. It’s so unfortunate for Sivo I think he would have been great for us hopefully he can recover as best as possible and his start with us is just delayed a year. Can’t see us rushing to replace him so late into pre season and don’t think it’ll be like for like as we do have plenty of cover for the wings at the moment. Handley, Hall, Edgell, Lumb, McCormack & Simpson can all be options on the wing. I can still see Miller possibly being used there as well this season. But we now effectively have a 25 man squad for the season and I don’t think it’ll stay that way so can definitely see Leeds putting Sivo’s place to use mid season.[/quote:3twxh7br] What an absolute shocker. A player I think the whole competition would have enjoyed watching. Given that Sivo is contracted for the next two years it would be unwise to use his quota spot or salary on another marquee player even if one were available. However, I do think we'll now be in a very strong position to land Watkins from Salford if their still unresolved situation does not resolve itself soon.

Whilst the likes of Lumb, Edgell etc are full of promise. I do think the reason Arthur brought Sivo over here was down to him able to bring the ball out of our half similar to Hall on the other wing and the fact he can finish from 10/15 yards out when up against the full back and wing. Unfortunately as good as the young kids are they are not going to be anywhere near that requirement. If Salford have to sell at some time Lafai would be a good replacement at centre with Handley back on the wing imo.

[quote="chapylad":2ku1ssf3]Whilst the likes of Lumb, Edgell etc are full of promise. I do think the reason Arthur brought Sivo over here was down to him able to bring the ball out of our half similar to Hall on the other wing and the fact he can finish from 10/15 yards out when up against the full back and wing. Unfortunately as good as the young kids are they are not going to be anywhere near that requirement. If Salford have to sell at some time Lafai would be a good replacement at centre with Handley back on the wing imo.[/quote:2ku1ssf3] That’s a great point mate and shows why this is a hammer blow. They’ve some major thinking to do

Lafai on a one year deal would be a very good shout. Top class centre. 33/34 so a 1yr deal may suit him too.

At least Connor can play centre and Hall / Handley on the wings

Does the deregistration also apply to the quota, or just the salary?

[quote="Jack Burton":2na26p5e]Does the deregistration also apply to the quota, or just the salary?[/quote:2na26p5e] Aaron Bower on Twitter suggests that it's not explicitly covered in the rules and is uncharted territory not having happened before. He thinks we'd have to apply to the RFL to clarify.

[quote="Rhino at work":sfjzmbe9]Aaron Bower on Twitter suggests that it's not explicitly covered in the rules and is uncharted territory not having happened before. He thinks we'd have to apply to the RFL to clarify.[/quote:sfjzmbe9] God help us.

as it leeds no...

We're in a very difficult spot, so close to the start of the season and with a spot for one year only. I agree with the comment that Arthur has set the side up to start sets with big wingers taking the ball in, and those same wingers being able to smash their way through close to the line. Lumb may have a big future, but he (nor Handley) cannot do that anywhere near as effectively as a big guy. I know he's burned bridges and neither side would probably even think about it, but the closest like-for-like I can think of would be Macdonald, who has played a on the wing a lot. Can anyone think of any British players who fit the bill? Or even close? The only other consideration would be that Frawley's contract runs out this year. But we're getting into very bad territory if we have to definitely lose him next year to get a winger for this one.

Ravalawa is available.

[quote="Rhino at work":1bcsnhe4]Aaron Bower on Twitter suggests that it's not explicitly covered in the rules and is uncharted territory not having happened before. He thinks we'd have to apply to the RFL to clarify.[/quote:1bcsnhe4] Amateur hour. How can this not have been foreseen as being a possibility to require a rule for. Personally I'd replace with a now 2nd row in Watkins. If not same position overseas if allowed.

Maybe we need to ask to borrow St Helens legal team. On a serious note if it`s not in the rules then surely they cannot dispute it. And is it classed as prejudice to prevent an overseas player come in to the team when Sivo an overseas player is no longer available for the season leaving a spot free?

Seems the Salford fire sale could still be on if they don’t secure the backing. RFL has said any player signed would not count on the OS quota for this year but they would need to have sufficient cap space. Would Tim Lafai be s good pick up on a one year deal

[quote="christopher":kkqcnoun]Seems the Salford fire sale could still be on if they don’t secure the backing. RFL has said any player signed would not count on the OS quota for this year but they would need to have sufficient cap space. Would Tim Lafai be s good pick up on a one year deal[/quote:kkqcnoun] He would if it was just one year. Just got to be careful that whatever we do is done with an eye to future recruitment and not just the present.