Alker won Super League's Hit Man award last season

Salford City Reds will not give skipper Malcolm Alker a new playing deal next year but have offered him a full-time coaching role at The Willows.

The 31-year-old hooker is already part of the backroom staff but has struggled to combine playing and coaching.

"Malcolm asked us about his future and the club has said we will be moving on from a playing point of view," Reds' head coach Shaun McRae said.

"It's been a tough decision because he's given great service to the club."

Alker, who has made 350 appearances for Salford, has been linked to a rugby union coaching role in Ireland.

"I don't know if there is anything in Ireland or not but we value Malcolm to the point that he has been offered a role on the coaching staff," McRae added.

"There are a number of players coming out of contract and it's a good opportunity now to move on. Malcolm has handled it very well, he fully understands."

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