GARRY Atkins may hang up his boots for the final time after suffering his second injury in successive weeks.

The York Wasps player-coach sustained deep bruising to his back in last week's defeat by Hull KR which rules him out of tomorrow's trip to Featherstone's Lionheart Stadium.

It came just a week after taking a knock to the head in the victory at Batley which forced him off the field.

Atkins, who has made just six appearances this season, is now considering retiring for the third time.

"Someone's maybe telling me to retire," said the 33-year-old. "I might have one game left in me. We'll just have to wait and see."

He took a knee in the back in the early stages of the Rovers game and took himself off at half-time.

He is still in considerable pain so hands over the stand-off shirt to Darren Callaghan, with Chris Hammerton expected to make his full 'debut' at scrum-half.

Hammerton, 36, made his first appearance for the Wasps in seven years when he replaced Atkins last week.

He is now the first choice scrum-half as on loan Craig Robinson has returned to Keighley. Robinson was dropped for the Keighley match and has not been back to York since.

"When I spoke to him about the reasons for leaving him out he was keen to stay so I don't know what's happened. It's disappointing but that's the way it goes," said a mystified Atkins.

One player who will definitely return against Featherstone is forward Michael Smith. The Kiwi was unhappy about being dropped against Hull KR for arriving late but has since made his peace with Atkins.

The Wasps boss explained: "I had a chat to him on Tuesday and was impressed with his attitude. He apologised and knew he was out of order with what he said to me. He realised where I was coming from. Now it's all forgotten.

"Credit to him, he's accepted it and knuckled down in training well. I'm sure he will figure at some stage on Sunday."

Leroy McKenzie, Shaun Austerfield, Andy Preston and possibly Lea Tichener are all out for the season, while back Max Ryce misses tomorrow's game with a knee injury.

Centre Simon Irvine is also likely to sit it out with a strained thigh picked up in last week's defeat by Hull KR, while back John McCracken (virus) remains doubtful and hooker Alan Pallister is rated at 50-50 having trapped a nerve in his knee last week.

However, Atkins was handed good news in the form of Andy Precious' quick recovery from a knee injury.

The loose forward had been expected to miss the rest of the season after damaging his knee against Doncaster at Easter, but has told Atkins he is available for selection.

Wasps' injury problems, meanwhile, could prompt Atkins to hand a debut to new boy Matthew Mullholland, who left the Sheffield Eagles academy two years ago and has been playing on the amateur and union scene around Rotherham.

"There's a possibility he might figure on the bench to start with," Atkins added.

Former York captain Craig Booth will not play against his old team-mates. Booth, who left York to join Featherstone in March, has damaged knee ligaments and is expected to be out for the season.

Another ex-Wasp, Australian Matt Lambert, captains a Rovers side which also features York-based half-back Paddy Handley and forward Rhys Jones-Orris who is on loan from Leeds Rhinos.

Featherstone have won their last four games but coach Peter Roe has a mounting injury list with Maea David (shoulder) and Steve Dooler (broken hand) causing concern.

Tomorrow's line-up

York Wasps (from): Gray, Lloyd, Irving, Lambert, Woodcock, Callaghan, Hammerton, Hayes, Pallister, S Hill, A Hill, Judge, Darley, Hargrave, Forsyth, Ramsden, Ryce, Hagan.

Featherstone (from): Rhodes, Stokes, Law, Bramald, Thompson, Bastow, Rooney, Dickens, Chapman, Jones-Orris, Evans, Lowe, Lambert, Handley, Coventry, Heptinstall, Helliwell, David, Dooler.

Referee: Steve Nicholson (Whitehaven) Kick-off: 3pm

picture: THE RACE IS ON: Darren Callaghan (right), who is chasing a regular slot at stand-off. Tomorrow he takes over the position from the injured Garry Atkins