Salford 'respect' Gareth Hock's transfer request, says Koukash

Hock has scored four tries for Salford in Super League this season

Forward Gareth Hock will leave Salford Red Devils with the club's blessing, according to chairman Marwan Koukash.

England international Hock, 31, is in only the first season of a four-year contract with the Super League club.

Koukash revealed on Twitter that the former Wigan player had handed in a transfer request.

"The club had always supported Gaz and respect his wishes in wanting to leave. We have no idea of where he wants to go and we wish him well," Koukash tweeted.

Hock, who spent last season at Widnes, was close to a move to Australian National Rugby League side Paramatta Eels before opting to join Salford.

His career is littered with controversy, from being handed a five-game ban for grabbing a referee in 2008, to being suspended for testing positive for cocaine and most recently being removed from England's World Cup squad following a breach of discipline last year.

He scored on his Super League debut for Salford against Wakefield in the first round, and has gone on to feature 14 times in a disappointing season which will see them finish outside the play-off places.

Their loss to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday, which ended top-eight aspirations, prompted Koukash to cancel the players' annual end-of-season celebration.