OFFER: Max Ryce

Welsh wing wonder Max Ryce was today mulling over an offer to remain at York Wasps for the next two years.

The trialist three-quarter has been offered a contract by the club after impressing during his month-long trial.

It culminated in a two-try performance on the wing in the 26-18 success against Lancashire Lynx on Sunday, which was enough to convince the board of directors he was worth retaining.

Now he has returned to his south Wales home for a couple of days to consider the terms which have been put to him.

"I thought he went well on Sunday. He did all he was asked to do," said caretaker coach Garry Atkins.

"I definitely want to see him in the teamsheet on Sunday but the ball is in his court now. We'll just have to wait and see."

Ryce, who until recently was playing rugby union with Rhymney, has previously had trials with London Broncos and Wigan Warriors, but this is his first opportunity to establish himself in the league code.

Atkins is hopeful of fielding a similar side to the one which beat Lancashire for Sunday's home encounter with Barrow Border Raiders.

The team escaped relatively unscathed from the game at Chorley's Victory Park with John McCracken the only doubt.

The full-back picked up a slight hamstring strain and is rated as 50-50 by Atkins to recover in time to face play-off hopefuls Barrow.

If McCracken is out then Kevin Gray is waiting in the wings to take over the number one shirt.

Centre Shaun Austerfield, prop Lea Tichener, wing Matt Woodcock and second rower Paul Darley remain on the injured list.

The Cumbrians' coach Paul Charlton has pin-pointed Sunday's game as a "must-win" for his side if the Border Raiders are to maintain their top eight ambitions.

"We have got a lot of players playing through the pain barrier but we are digging deep," said Charlton, reflecting on their growing injury list.

"We have got to work hard for our wins, but we are making Craven Park into a bit of a fortress.

"We have got to take that into our away games.

"We have got to start winning away to keep our hopes alive of finishing in the top eight and have to win this one to keep our play-off hopes alive."

Challenge Cup holders Leeds Rhinos sold more than 7,000 tickets for the Murrayfield final within 48 hours, according to the Super League club.

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