Star forward Michael Smith today confirmed his York Wasps career is over.

The New Zealander has rejected the new terms offered to him by the Wasps and is now in negotiations with several other clubs.

The 24-year-old former Castleford and Hull FC ace has put his decision down to a lack of guarantees on the contract offered to him this week as part of the Company Voluntary Arrangement.

His work permit requires he earns a certain wage to stay in the country and the terms offered to all the players - that they receive 50 per cent of the net gate receipts - did not meet that requirement.

Although the club had hoped to find a sponsor to help finance his stay, Smith's agent advised him it was too big a risk to take.

"Basically what they are offering there's no guarantee on my contract of any sort," he said today.

"I have to be on a certain retainer to stay in this country for my work permit to be granted so I decided to refuse to sign and move on.

"At the end of the day I can't sign a contract that hasn't got guarantees on it. It's all ifs and buts. They're going to get someone to do this and someone to do that, but it's too much of a risk."

Smith has been in outstanding form for the Wasps this season after improving his fitness during pre-season training.

He has attracted the attention of several clubs and is confident of getting fixed up by the end of next week.

Hunslet Hawks and his former club Castleford are both rumoured to be interested, but Smith declined to name the clubs chasing his signature.

"I'm talking to five or six clubs. It hasn't been hard to find somewhere else to go because I've started the season playing some of the best football I've played.

"Whatever club I go to they'll have to re-apply for a work permit but that won't be too much of a problem given the situation."

Smith is disappointed to end his York career after joining the club towards the end of last season.

He said: "I've been looked after pretty well. I get on well with Ann Garvey (chief executive) but at the end of the day it's nothing personal, it's more of a business thing.

"I just hope the other players don't think I'm rubbishing the club at the first opportunity.

"I've got to look after myself and a step in the right direction is to move on.

"But I wish York all the best. I'd still like to come down and watch them," he said, adding that he hoped to be at Sunday's home game with Sheffield.

"It's disappointing for the club the situation that has happened, but I'm sure they can still win 50 per cent of their games which is the target we set."

And Smith did not rule out the possibility of a return to York.

"I'll stay in England for the rest of my career and you never know what will happen. I could end up back here one day. I feel as though we've left on good terms and there's no animosity between me, my agent and Ann."

Smith's departure leaves Crooks with a selection headache going into Sunday's game.

Fellow props Craig Forsyth and Alan Pallister are both doubtful with injuries, so Crooks will run the rule over some possible replacements at training tonight.

Updated: 14:18 Thursday, January 11, 2001