Salford Red Devils have suspended talismanic stand-off Rangi Chase after a row over a missed training session.
Chase, who joined the club from Castleford Tigers in 2013 was allegedly involved in a spat with the club after missing training while he was in France with teammate Lama Tasi.
SalfordOnline.com understands that a Salford training session was brought forward by 24 hours while both players were still overseas.
Tasi, who is due to leave Salford for St Helens in 2016, is understood to have accepted a club fine and will be available for the Super 8 Qualifiers game away to Halifax on Sunday 6 September.
Chase however, allegedly told the club he would not pay the fine, accusing management of bringing training forward deliberately so he would miss it.
No-one at Salford Red Devils was available for comment.
Fan-favourite Chase has endured a season of injury and suspension in 2015 but has been in sparkling form at times.
His pass to himself against Hull FC earlier this season has been seen worldwide on social media, but those acts of brilliance have also been overshadowed by his seven-match suspension for a cannonball tackle on Huddersfield Giants Brett Ferres on Good Friday.
He has been subject to a lot of transfer rumours, with Leigh, Warrington and Catalan Dragons all interested, as well as Wigan and St Helens who reportedly asked about his availability during his ban.
Recap: Super 8s: Salford Red Devils vs Leigh Centurions
Recap: Salford Super 8: Reds’ winning bid to stay in Super League
Salford, who this week formally handed Ian Watson the role of head coach until the end of the season have also been linked with former Wigan and Leeds star, David Furner, who was Tim Sheens’ assistant for the Australian national team and who is rumoured to want to work in Super League.
As Sheens let slip a couple of weeks ago – and despite claims to the contrary – Harrison Hansen and Cory Paterson are set to leave after the final game of the season away to Hull KR, perhaps the club are looking to clear the decks again.
Read: Salford captain Harrison Hansen and Cory Paterson to leave Salford Red Devils at end of season
At the start of the season Salford paraded a host of talent in front of fans.
But with owner Marwan Koukash’s claim that his only job is to “sign the cheques” at the club, and the fact we were unable to contact anyone at Salford Red Devils for a comment, speculation is rife.
As it is, Salford need to win at least three of their remaining games to guarantee top flight status for next year, but with two of those being against clubs who have already beaten them this season, that is not looking like a good bet, unless you are a bookie.
