THE same is said for many sports, but there is no doubting that rugby league is a funny old game.

In the week that he was highlighted as one of the form players in the Northern Ford Premiership, Wasps winger Leroy McKenzie has been dropped by boss Lee Crooks who at last has more bodies to choose from.

McKenzie was nominated for the league's 'team of the month' for December after no doubt catching the eye with his typical jinking runs which endear him to supporters.

But it appears the Wasps chief believes his crowd-pleaser, having scored just one try all season, is capable of more on the pitch, be it in his general performance or as regards an end product.

Crooks would not reveal what things he felt McKenzie needed to work on, but it seems the boss wants to give his enigmatic winger a kick up the backside.

Crooks has said he believed that a number of players had reached a comfort zone in the knowledge there were no others available to push for their place.

And it appears McKenzie, in his eyes, was one such player.

But now he has the numbers available in his squad to change things round and give others a chance to show what they can do.

Hopefully - and maybe this is what Crooks is banking on - McKenzie will bounce back to prove what an excellent winger he is.

There is little doubting his ability, and Crooks seems acutely aware of what his man has in his locker.

Put it this way, if Crooks feels McKenzie is not doing himself justice in a month when he was nominated as one of the best five wingers in the league, then he must rate him very highly indeed.

As regards the number in the squad, it is good to see the Wasps ranks filling out again.

Everyone knows that the Wasps won't be able to attract top NFP players because of the financial state of the club, but Crooks is obviously not frightened to give unproven players a crack and there seems to be a fair few players keen to try out.

Crooks must have been dreaming of the day when he could actually select a squad rather then read out the names of players who were fit and registered.

The dream is over, thankfully.

The Wasps players are turning their hand to a spot of reporting to help top up the Players' Fund.

They have produced a humorous fanzine called The Crooksy Post with inside stories from Huntington Stadium.

The first edition should have been available at last week's match but as that was called off it will now be on sale at the Gateshead match tomorrow.

It costs 50p with all proceeds going into the Players' Fund.

Apologies to Alan Pallister after the wrong date for his opening testimonial event appeared in last week's Di's Diary.

The disco and buffet will take place at Clifton Park on Wednesday, February 7.

For tickets and details of this and all the other testimonial events, contact organiser Ann Wright on 01904 424434.

Meanwhile, items have been put up for auction by generous rivals in order to raise funds for the Wasps favourite.

The lots are up for grabs to the highest bidder.

They include: a Glasgow Rangers FC tie; two tickets to see Bradford Bulls in Super League action against either Salford Reds, Huddersfield Giants, London Broncos, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC or Wakefield Trinity Wildcats; and a Family Ticket (two adults and two children) for Castleford's first home Super League game of the forthcoming season versus Wigan Wa-rriors on Saturday, March 17.

Anyone interested should write with details of their bid and for what item by Monday, February 5, to: Testimonial Committee, c/o Mr Michael Chatten, 14 Ashley Park Crescent, Stockton Lane, York, YO31 OHJ.