Salford Red Devils are hoping to unleash Manu Vatuvei on Wigan Warriors in their Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final.

Vatuvei currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. A New Zealand national representative winger, he has played his entire NRL career to date with the Warriors. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand side that won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He became the Warriors' highest try scorer and averages over 10 tries per season.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Vatuvei is of Tongan descent. He grew up in the same Otara neighbourhood as Ruben Wiki and attended Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate. His cousin is Tongan-Japanese rugby union player Ruatangi Vatuvei.

Vatuvei played for the Otara Scorpions and Otahuhu Leopards in Auckland Rugby League competitions before playing for the Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards in the Bartercard Cup. When he was only 16 he joined the New Zealand Warriors development squad.

Salford are thought to have agreed a deal to sign former Kiwis Test winger Vatuvei from New Zealand Warriors.

Salford are waiting for the 31-year-old to receive his visa

It is hoped that Manu will arrive a week before they play Wigan for a place at Wembley.