A collection will be held during tomorrow's first team game with Widnes for Wasps Academy prop Tom Lyons, who suffered serious injury in the match against Workington last week.

Young Tom has spent the week in a Cumbrian hospital after sustaining severe bruising to his spinal chord. It could have been much worse, as players and officials at first thought he had broken his neck.

He is said to be in a comfortable condition and making steady progress. It is hoped he will be discharged by the end of the week.

Academy coach - and now first team caretaker boss - Martin Flynn was indebted to Workington secretary June Kennedy for all her help.

He said: "She was superb. She looked after us and kept us informed of everything that was happening. I can't thank her enough."

We all wish Tom a speedy recovery.

The Academy play Oldham in a curtain raiser tomorrow, kick-off 12pm.

The Wasps Supporters Club will be presenting their end of season awards at the end of tomorrow's game.

Player of the Year, Most Improved Player and the Top Try-scorer trophies will all be awarded, although the identities of the winners are a closely guarded secret.

The winner and runner-up prizes in the Evening Press/Guildford Construction Player of the Year will not be presented as they are yet to be finalised.

Shaun McRae is coming to York. But no, he's not about to be installed as the Wasps' new coach - he's going to be the guest speaker at their sportsperson's dinner next week.

Hull FC's Australian boss McRae, comedian Micky Gunn and master of ceremonies Dave Kendall will provide the entertainment at the event, which is being held to raise money for the Wasps Academy.

It is taking place in the Gimcrack Rooms at York Racecourse on Wednesday. Ladies are welcome.

Tickets, costing £25 per person which includes a four course dinner, are available from York Wasps, Huntington Stadium, Jockey Lane, Huntington, York YO32 9XX or telephone the club on 01904 634636.

Pocket dynamo Andy Innes must surely be an advocate of summer rugby after his experience at Featherstone last week.

We counted that the Wasps winger handled the ball a grand total of once in the whole 80 minutes. He must have been grateful it wasn't the middle of winter or frost bite could well have set in - RFL officials take note!

York are now up to joint second in the list of most players used by a team in a season.

Carl Sayer and Steve Thickbroom made their debuts last week to take the number of players used by the Wasps up to 67, the same as Prescott Panthers in 1996.

They now look unlikely to top the 72 used by Lancashire Lynx last season.

The Wasps total does not include kit man Steve Harris or physio Pat Howdle, who have been unused substitutes.

Tomorrow's game will be preceeded by a minute's silence for former Wasps Supporters' Club chairman Dennis Baker.

It is the first home game since the sad death of Mr Baker two weeks ago.