Knights battle to get Law on their side

No deal has yet been completed for the Sheffield-born 30-year-old but the Evening Press understands that the parties involved are deep in talks.

The Press suggested back in December that Law could be a target for the Knights, and at New Year reported that one LHF Healthplan National League Two club, such as York, and a National League One club were both trying to bring the powerful centre back to rugby league from rugby union.

It is thought a third rugby league club are also keeping tabs on the 6ft 3in tall star, though the Knights now appear to be leading the chase.

However, it is believed one sticking point could be the timing of Law's switch back to the 13-a-side code. He is currently with Otley RUFC, who lie fifth in rugby union's National League Division One, and they may want to keep him until their season finishes at the end of April.

Law, who has also played for Northampton at rugby union and Sheffield Eagles and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at rugby league, was a big hit in his 2003 stint with the Knights, scoring 11 tries in 12 games.

Meanwhile, former York Wasps half-back Brad Davis has returned to his native Australia for a fortnight to visit an ill relative.

Davis, now with Castleford, could not have played against York City Knights in Sunday's Northern Rail Cup opener due to a hamstring injury but might be available when the Tigers visit Huntington Stadium for the return fixture next month.

Former Knights player Darren Robinson left Rochdale Hornets on the eve of the new season having struggled to attend training sessions due to work commitments.

The hooker, who previously left Rochdale in acrimonious circumstances in 2003, had returned to Spotland following short spells at York, which also ended under a cloud, Sheffield and Dewsbury.

Don't miss Wednesday's Evening Press for the first 'Cook Report', Knights coach Mick Cook's new weekly column in your award-winning newspaper.

Updated: 10:14 Tuesday, February 15, 2005