VIKINGS face a tough task with a short turnaround when they travel to top-eight rivals Salford on tonight (Thursday).

And they do so without the services of second row pairing Danny Galea and Danny Tickle, who are the latest to join Vikings’ lengthy casualty list.

Galea was concussed in Sunday’s win leaving insufficient time to pass a head test in time for the the trip to the Red Devils.

Meanwhile Tickle is booked in for an operation on a troublesome groin injury, leaving Vikings’ squad spread thinly for what will be a tough game against the side they had the edge over last season.

There is light at the end of the tunnel with prop Eamon O’Carroll due back this week, with Phil Joseph recalled after a couple of games at Whitehaven.

Centre Chris Dean has not broken his ribs as first feared and is the mix for a return at Salford, but Patrick Ah Van remains sidelined after suffering delayed concussion.

Skipper Kevin Brown and Lloyd White set for a return during the gruelling Easter spell.

Coach Denis Betts was upbeat despite the news and challenge facing his side. He said: “I am happy with where we sit on the table and our performance over the weekend.

“Hopefully over the Easter period we will get a number of players back and there will only be Hep Cahill who will be out for a long time.”

Although Vikings had the beating of Salford last year, the expensively assembled Red Devils are expected to make a stronger challenge this term having had time to knit together.

Betts declared: “Last year we had a cohesive unit that was able to beat a team that was more highly paid.

“Salford are looking more like a team these days. That cohesion and consistency comes with time.”

Meanwhile, Vikings have appointed Brett Hodgson as Academy Head Coach following a restructure of the staffing positions at the club.