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Salford City Reds say that their proposed new stadium can still go ahead, despite confirmation that one of their main partners has failed to attract government backing. Salford City College, one of the principal drivers behind the project, has been refused development funding by the Learning and Skills Council to build a campus on the Barton site.

The proposed new stadium was understood to be a major reason for the Reds securing a three-year Super League licence last year, but the project has suffered a number of setbacks since then. The college scheme was brought in to replace a hotel and conferencing facility within the stadium, which featured in earlier plans but was later dropped. The stadium's development team – including the club itself, City of Salford Council, Peel Holdings and Salford City College – have now held what the club describe as a "very positive" meeting to discuss the decision to refuse funding.

The college has stated that it has other options available to continue its part of the stadium development, and the Reds' chairman, John Wilkinson, urged supporters to remain positive. "We have the land, we have planning permission and we have a very supportive and highly qualified team working this project through and it will be delivered," Wilkinson said. "The people of the City of Salford deserve a high-quality stadium along with one of the best college facilities in the country, and that is what we will give them."

Wigan Warriors have secured the future of their promising young half-back Sam Tomkins until the end of 2014. The 20-year-old, who played a starring role in the Warriors' 36–28 win at Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday, already had two years left on his contract but has now signed a new five-year deal. Hull FC have confirmed that recent signing Hame Lauaki has been granted a visa after receiving a Certificate of English Speaking Competency, a document he had to obtain despite living in New Zealand for over 20 years. The Kiwi international is currently recovering from an arm injury.

(Source: Guardian.co.uk)