COOL customer Garry Atkins is hoping York Wasps can end the season on a high note after being given the all-clear to complete their fixtures.

The Wasps have four games left of the current campaign, starting with a trip to Featherstone on Sunday.

And with new owners John Stabler and Russell Greenfield still to announce their plans for next season, it could be the final swansong for many of the playing and coaching staff.

However, Wasps coach Atkins believes the players have remained largely unaffected by the winding-up saga - and claims he was never unduly concerned.

"I always felt they would get a stay of execution because it seemed silly to close the club down with just four games left. If it had been the start of the season it might have been different.

"I haven't met with John Stabler and Russell Greenfield yet and I don't know what their plans are.

"There will be a lot of rumours flying around but we will just have to wait and see.

"Now they've got to make sure the hard work is done to make sure that on August 9 it doesn't fold. Our concern is to get to the end of the season and hopefully we'll have a couple of good performances to finish with.

"I don't feel this has really affected the players anyway. I know we can make it an excuse but I felt the players coped really well with it and took it quite professionally.

"I was quite surprised - they were quite buoyant and I didn't feel it got anybody down."

Former chairman Stabler, who will be back in charge for his first game on Sunday, will not be rushed into making any immediate changes on the playing front.

He declined to comment on Atkins' chances of remaining as coach next season but said: "I always got on well with Garry last time I was here and I am looking forward to seeing him and all my old mates on Sunday.

"I am happy with everyone in place at the moment. We have four matches to complete the season which is a great bonus.

"We've got finances to sort out first. When we have got over August 9 then we will start planning for next season.

"We have got an awful lot of money to pay off. The Sky (News Corporation) money will be put to one side to pay the Inland Revenue so that will put us behind the other clubs when they use that money to buy players.

"But we do hope to be able to strengthen the team from one or more Super League clubs."

Stabler and Greenfield are sure to have their own views as to the coaching and playing staff for next season.

As directors of Hull FC and previously Gateshead Thunder, they will have plenty of Super League contacts.

The Evening Press understands they already have one big name in mind for the head coaching job but they have not yet had chance to discuss the position with the individual concerned.