Lee Crooks has pledged his immediate future to York Wasps, despite a possible opening at his former club Castleford Tigers.

Castleford's assistant boss, former York star Graham Steadman, was promoted to the role of head coach yesterday following the departure of Stuart Raper to Wigan.

He has initially been appointed on a temporary basis but Tigers chief executive Richard Wright hinted he could well be in charge at least until the end of the season.

Wright also confirmed Steadman, who played for York from 1982 to 1986, will be bringing in his own support staff, a role which could suit former Castleford favourite Crooks.

However, the Wasps chief said his only priority at the moment is helping York out of their present situation.

Asked if he would be interested in returning to the Jungle in a coaching capacity, Crooks replied: "It's an irrelevant question because I am coaching York.

"My only thoughts are about steering York out of the trouble they're in.

"I've stuck by them because I want to try and achieve the goals I've set myself. That hasn't changed."

Crooks is only contracted to York until the end of the current season, which finishes at the end of next month.

He refused to rule out a move after that time, saying: "It all depends what York want to do next season. If they want to extend my contract then that's something we'd have to discuss, which might happen when John Stabler gets back (from holiday)."

However, Crooks admitted that becoming an assistant at a Super League club would be his next intended step up the coaching ladder.

"I'd like to think that being an assistant in Super League would be an ideal opportunity to step up in my coaching career.

"As much as you try and keep tabs on Super League and the way it's going, I think you would need to be involved at a club as an assistant at that level before you can become a head coach."

Crooks played alongside Steadman during his Castleford days and is thrilled his former team-mate has now been given the chance to make the head coach's role his own.

He said: "I'm delighted he has got the opportunity to coach at the club. He's served his apprenticeship under Stuart and will have learnt a lot.

"I'm sure he will do a good job."

Chief executive Wright said they would not be rushing into a permanent replacement but confirmed Steadman, who still holds York's points in a season record for the 318 he scored in 1984/85, was in contention.

"He has worked here for four years under Stuart and has developed considerably as a coach in that time," Wright said.

"He's been rewarded with coaching positions with both England and Great Britain for games later in the year.

"He is a very talented coach and has got the opportunity now to show that he can do the job.

"I definitely think it's more than a possibility he will stay to the end of the season.

"Because things have happened so quickly we need to give some thought as to what we're going to do.

"Graham wants the job and this opportunity has come at just the right time from his point of view.

"It's something that he's now to grasp with both hands."

Updated: 09:38 Wednesday, May 16, 2001