With talismanic Rangi Chase sitting out a seven-game suspension after a cannonball tackle on Brett Ferres last week, he was keen to point out the positives that can come from such an omission.
“Over the next seven weeks or so we’ve highlighted a few areas where Rangi can improve his game and a stint like this gives us a chance to work on those with him, without the pressure of getting him match fit.
“These things happen over the course of a season, and its how we deal with it as a club that will show where we are as a club.”
With Weller Hauraki also sidelined for four matches, it certainly leaves Harris with one or two headaches.
As to injury worries, full back Kevin Locke was due to undergo further tests today to decide if he would be fit to play following his lay off with concussion – and it’s not great news for Tommy Lee either who could be out for up to 6 weeks with a broken bone in his foot.
As one door closes though, another opens.
Theo Fages has been pushing for a return to first team action, and the Chase ban has put him front and centre to stake a claim to play in the halves.
“Theo is a player who has always impressed me when he’s played and has some real quality in his game,” said Harris.
“Post-Easter, most clubs will have picked up injuries and other things where it means they won’t have their first choice available, but it’s how the rest of the squad react that and how we manage our own that will decide how we move forwards.”
But how has the heavy defeat to St Helens earlier in the season affected the team morale?
“Success isn’t a straight line. You just have to make sure that the spikes you have during the year get higher and higher as you go along.”
“Once you have a solid reputation and lose a couple, it’s seen as a blip, Warrington are going through that now, we haven’t earned the right yet for our troughs to be called that.”
When asked about the Sam Tomkins situation, Harris was very tight lipped, refusing to rule Salford either in or out of the running.
Owner Dr Marwan Koukash has stated on Twitter: “The club will support Iestyn Harris in the pursuit of any player he wishes to sign.”
When pressed, he admitted that any coach would love a player of his quality in his squad, but was also keen to point out that he has two very good full backs in Locke and Niall Evalds.
“Do we need another full back at this stage? I’m not sure, but is Sam a world class player? Yes, he definitely is. Is it an area we need to recruit? No it’s not.”
“There’s world class players available all the time, getting them is another matter.”
