WIDNES Vikings will be without Hep Cahill for six weeks after the experienced packman damaged PCL knee ligaments in the defeat at Hull.

It is another blow to an already depleted middle unit, with Manase Manuokafoa, Alex Gerrard and Eamon O’Carroll still three or four weeks away.

Still winless after five matches, Vikings need to start getting some results on the board before the demanding Easter programme comes when the scramble to get out of the bottom four intensifies.

But for that to happen they need to produce a more consistent 80 minute performance, rather than playing well in patches, and cut down the penalties.

They will have to be on their mettle on Friday night when Salford, fresh from toppling on-song leaders Castleford, come to town.

Coach Denis Betts expects Salford to provide threats across the park.

He said: “Week in, week out they have been pretty solid. Their halves are good and Gaz O'Brien is in good form, with both his boot and running game.

“With Junior Sau and Ben Murdoch-Masila back they have some threat around the field and are playing well and have Todd Carney to put in too.

“It is going to be a tough game.”

Betts rung the changes last week, dropping Rhys Hanbury, moving Corey Thompson to full back and switching Aaron Heremaia into the halves.

That is likely to carry on this week.

“We know what we have got to do better — there is no magic dust, we have just got to play better.

“A victory would give us a good taste in the mouth.

“We need a win — especially here — and this next period of games the pressure is on us.

“We have got to pick up some points before Easter when it gets even tougher,” Betts said.