Alker has started all of Salford's Super League games this season

Salford City Reds captain Malcolm Alker is to retire at the end of the season but will stay on at the club in a coaching capacity.

The 31-year-old has spent his entire professional career with the Reds, making over 350 appearances.

Alker has combined playing with a part-time coaching role this season.

He told the club's website: "I've been with this club for my entire career. It's a part of me and runs through every vein in my body."

In June, the Reds announced that Alker, who has been ever-present in Super League this season, would not be offered a playing deal for next year.

Salford director of football Steve Simms told BBC Radio Manchester: "It's great news. Malcolm's had a long career at Salford and now he's going to continue on in a different role.

"It's always a tough decision for anyone that's retiring but obviously the next progression is into coaching.

"It can be tough for a player to adapt to a purely coaching role at first but this is for Malcolm's long-term future in the game. We see him as a potential future head coach."

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