I'll remain optimistic that him actually playing in the friendlies and taking part in so much media for the club is a sign that unless it is a family tragedy or some legal wrangling, he will return.

This is standard with us though, we can't ever have just a smooth and steady, uneventful lead-up to each Super League season.

And as will always be said, if it is a negative, best it happens now rather than at the business end of the season.

Drama queens the lot of you !

Well done for putting that one to bed, Vanners. There are a few "flat earthers" and antivaxers on here that still question whether Derek saying "Absolute Nonsense" means something else.

Sorry, Charlie & Monty, Vanners knows.

Monty is indeed usually in the know but on this one, for one week only, I am 100% sure he’s gone nowhere.
And yes I am in sunny Leyth for a brief time but off to Yarkshire today, then down south before heading back. Missing the Salford opener unfortunately. Back in the summer though Charlie and I’ll bug you for a pint then.

Yeah , look forward to meeting up again , it’s always good to see folk off the Forum .