AUSTRALIAN full-back Ben Sorbello has become the latest player forced to leave York Wasps, following the closure of the World Rugby League offices in York.

The 32-year-old is now set to return Down Under on Monday, just five months after arriving in York from France.

However, the popular number one has told the Evening Press he would be keen to return to York next summer if the out-of-action club can get up and running again and if he can find other employment.

Sorbello had been employed in York as a sales executive by World Rugby League - the company which had sponsored the Wasps this season but came in for criticism from former directors for allegedly failing to fulfil promises.

Its offices in York, which also employed former Wasps captain Peter Edwards and fellow Kiwi star Carl Hall, have now closed, and this has left Sorbello not only without a job but also without a home as the company provided accommodation.

"If I had another job and accommodation then I'd like to stay because I like the city," said the Aussie, who, coincidentally, joined York after his then club in France, Avignon, folded.

"But I've got no other option at the moment than to return to Australia. I could have toughed it out for a while but I've got opportunities back home so I have to go back."

Sorbello was one of the players who waived his overdue payments in a bid to help the Wasps survive and was one of the "Magnificent Seven" who turned up for the players' meeting at Huntington Stadium last week, their first get-together since the bid to resurrect the club was launched.

More players have since attended training sessions held at Heworth's Elm Park Way ground, but Sorbello will now be unable to see out this season should the club be readmitted to the league.

"I would be interested in coming back here next year and playing for the club providing they've got the players and there's some way of fixing up a job and accommodation," he said.

"I will be liaising with (working party member) Gary Hall when I'm in Australia."

He added: "They're a good bunch of blokes here. When I got here I was well looked after and I really like York. It's a beautiful place, they're good people and I've had a good time here.

"Leo Epifania (the departed coach) was a good coach and it was a shame the club had to lose him. It's a shame all round really.

"If I was to come back to England it would just be to York. I've been happy here and I would like to play for York again if they're interested. In the meantime I wish them all the best."

Updated: 09:06 Friday, April 19, 2002