Hayes dusts off his boots

The 34-year-old prop hung up his boots last month because of an ongoing shoulder problem but the injury crisis at Huntington Stadium saw him fill in at late notice for the incredible Powergen Challenge Cup fifth-round win at Featherstone nine days ago.

And he has now accepted an approach to don the shirt once more as the club face Super League side Huddersfield Giants in the quarter-finals of the Cup, York's biggest knockout game since the semi-final of 1984.

Knights coach Richard Agar explained: "We're short on numbers again due to injuries - we could be down to the bare 17 again - but on top of that we've asked him because we thought it was thanks for what he did for us at Featherstone.

"He dropped in at short notice and did an amazing job. It gave us a boost for the game and he enjoyed it.

"And this is a game of such magnitude that it would be a nice stage for him to go out on."

Hayes has ruled out coming out of retirement for good, but says he would fill in again as a one-off if and when the club were desperate.

"I told Richard (Agar) I would do right by the club and if they're stuck at any time I would help them out - I would be more than happy to play," he told the Evening Press.

"But with the shoulder as it is I could not play week in week out or anything like that."

Hayes this week discovered his shoulder injury was caused by chipped bone going into the muscle. He will have surgery to correct it but might have to wait some time for the operation.

"I'm 34 as well now and you've got to be realistic," he added. "I know I'm going to miss it but time moves on."

The former York player of the year was to train with the club tonight for the first time since retiring. However, he has kept himself fit in the interim.

As for Sunday, he wouldn't rule out a shock. "You could get caught on the hop by a side going out all guns blazing so hopefully we can give 100 per cent and shock them."

Updated: 11:17 Tuesday, March 23, 2004