Alker (front) has been in superb form

It was feared the hooker sustained major ankle damage during Salford's 20-12 defeat at Wigan on Friday.

But Reds football director Steve Simms says Alker now has a chance of playing in Saturday's Super League match against Catalans Dragons in Narbonne.

"He's a lot better," Simms said. "It looks like it was just a nerve."

Alker was one of seven players added to the initial squad by coach Brian Noble.

The others were Reds winger David Hodgson, Hull duo Paul Cooke and Gareth Carvell, Bradford's Karl Pryce, Wigan's Mark Calderwood and Warrington's Stuart Reardon.

The uncapped Cooke has been in outstanding form this season

All seven players were left out of the initial 36-man squad for last month's Test match against New Zealand, but will join the one-off session ahead of the Tri-Nations at the end of the season.

"They have all been called up because of the form they've consistently shown in Super League," said Noble.

Noble insisted he had not closed the door on other players, including the likes of Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield and Warrington stand-off Lee Briers, making a late charge.

Hull stand-off or loose forward Cooke has been in excellent form, while prop Carvell has also been outstanding in the club's climb up the table.

Calderwood endured a slow start to the season in a struggling Wigan side and has also been affected by injury, but has been back to try-scoring form in the Warriors' recent revival.

It's something myself and the coaches have been working towards all season Salford hooker Malcolm Alker on his call-up

Reardon returns to the international set-up after two years, having established himself in the Lions side during the 2004 Tri-Nations.

And Bulls youngster Pryce joins his brother Leon in the squad for the first time.

Salford coach Karl Harrison had criticised Noble for the lack of players from his club in the original squad to face New Zealand.

Alker has been one of the most consistent hookers in Super League but has found himself behind Keiron Cunningham, Terry Newton and Mickey Higham in the pecking order.

"I'm obviously really chuffed to get the call," said Alker.

"It's something myself and the coaches have been working towards all season. It's the next big step and we just have to keep going forward now."