Jackson Hastings won't celebrate if he scores for Wigan Warriors against former club Salford

The 24-year-old Australian played a key role in helping the Red Devils reach a maiden Grand Final at the end of his first full season in Super League in 2019 but will be in the away dressing room for this year's round-seven fixture.

Hastings has scored three tries in his last three matches for the Warriors but says there will be no gloating if he crosses the tryline on Friday in what will be the 100th match of his career.

"I'd celebrate like I always do," he said. "I'd turn around and walk back to halfway.

"There will definitely be no disrespect on my behalf. You never bite the hand that feeds you and they did more than feed me.

"It's a huge part of my career that place and when I go back I'll be extremely respectful of the crowd and make sure I see people that chanted my name."

Hastings insists there will be no divided loyalties as he seeks to help Wigan stay top of the table but admits he will be forever grateful to Salford, and in particular director of rugby Ian Blease and head coach Ian Watson, for helping get his career back on track.

He was facing an uncertain future after falling out with Manly Sea Eagles in 2018 but never looked back after joining the Red Devils towards the end of that year and his stellar 2019 season was recognised when he was named Steve Prescott Man of Steel.

"It will be emotional going back there," Hastings said. "It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

"That 14-month period is a part of my life I'll never forget. I'm so grateful for all that I went through.

"Watto and Bleasy are two men in particular who had and still have such an impact on my life.

"Bleasy is almost like the father I never had really. The boys used to give me stick about it, saying stuff like 'daddy's here' but honestly he took me under his wing and looked after me and also looked after my family when they came over.

"He's got a little daughter, Ava, who I count as my sister. I still go over for dinner.

"It will be different. There will be boys coming after me right, left and centre. They know how I like to play and I know how they like to play. It will be a great day for everyone.

"When the 80 minutes is on, I'll be looking to rip in and win the game but, at the end of the day, it's hard to look past being so grateful for what that club did for me because it moulded me into the person I am right now."