Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley accused forward Sam Stone of ‘downing tools’ by making himself unavailable for selection against St Helens.
Kyle Feldt scored four tries and kicked three goals as Saints thrashed the Super League’s bottom side, who were left with only 17 available players after Stone’s decision to withdraw.
The Australian has been linked with a move to Warrington Wolves.
“He has been talking to another club since pre-season and now he is fit I guess that move can start to take shape,” said Rowley.
“Yesterday he downed tools, which makes it a difficult position for us and certainly made today difficult.
“I’m fully understanding of everyone’s thresholds and tolerance, but the situation of that yesterday put us in a bit of strife.
“The manner of it is not good. There is a way of doing things and that is not the way.
“Everyone has to look after themselves and I would facilitate it [the move], but I think if you make a decision which hurts your team-mates it is not a good decision.”
Rowley’s side lost 82-0 to the same opposition on the opening day of the season in February and went close to another nilling at the Salford Community Stadium.
Sam Hill went over for the hosts in the final minute to avoid another shutout, after Feldt’s tries, two from Harry Robertson and one each for Alex Walmsley, Curtis Sironen and debutant Owen Dagnall set up the rout.
Saints’ victory was their third in their past four matches and left them fifth in the table, three points adrift of Leigh Leopards in fourth and four behind Leeds Rhinos in third.
But they will face Leeds next Friday without scrum-half George Whitby, who will be forced to sit the game out after failing a head injury assessment.
