York Wasps Rugby League Club have suffered a major blow with the departure of captain Craig Booth.

GONE: Craig Booth, who has left York Wasps to join Northern Ford Premiership rivals Featherstone Rovers.

The 29-year-old forward has joined York's Northern Ford Premiership rivals Featherstone Rovers for the second time in his career.

Booth's decision to quit Huntington Stadium for his home town club is a huge loss for the Wasps.

He has been their leading try and goal scorer this season, touching down nine times and kicking 26 goals.

However, he was keen to stress his decision was not linked to the resignation of coach Dean Robinson.

York chief executive Ann Garvey said today: "Craig insists it has nothing to do with the events that have happened this week.

"It's because his wife is pregnant so he can't get to training as often and he lives out near Featherstone. He explained that to the players on Tuesday night."

She said that Booth had considered putting in his transfer request two weeks ago but had delayed it because of the matches against Dewsbury and Widnes.

"We are disappointed. We asked him not to do it because we don't want to lose any players but we are not going to stand in his way if he can't get to training," said Garvey, adding that they would now be looking for a replacement.

Booth, 29, last played for Featherstone in 1995. He joins his former York team-mate Matt Lambert at the Lionheart Stadium.

Booth's departure adds to the problems facing new caretaker coach Garry Atkins in his first game in charge of the Wasps.

Serious injuries have ruled four senior players out of tomorrow's basement battle with Lancashire Lynx, leaving Atkins with only 18 fit men. Paul Darley (hamstring), Shaun Austerfield (knee), Lea Tichener (hand) and Matt Woodcock (ankle) could all be out for four weeks.

That means all fit players, with the exception of Kevin Gray, will be in the side for the trip to Victory Park, Chorley.

"Kevin Gray is the only one who's left out but that's not a slur on Kevin," said Atkins, who has named John McCracken at full-back in place of Gray.

"He has not been dropped, it's just a matter of giving John McCracken a chance."

He also considered putting Gray on the wing but has opted to give Max Ryce his first start in the final match of his trial period.

Atkins has avoided any temptation to name himself in the side. He has been missing for the last five games and said: "I don't really want to play but if in the next few weeks I need to play and think it would benefit the team then I will play."

The injury situation means Atkins has been left with few options for a match which could see York drop to the bottom of the Northern Ford Premiership.

Lancashire and York have both managed just one win apiece this season so victory for Lynx would see them leapfrog the Wasps.

That doesn't concern Atkins too much as he believes the club is already at rock bottom. He also has little concern about tomorrow's opponents.

He said: "I'm not one that dwells too much on the opposition. I need to know what type of game they play but as long as we get our game right we shouldn't have a problem.

"As far as game plans go, introducing me on Tuesday won't make any difference on Sunday. I want them to shake up some pride. I'm sure they will all be up for it."

Lancashire produced what coach Steve Hampson called their best performance of the season when they were beaten 24-16 at Hunslet last week.

He said: "The referee destroyed us with some poor decisions. We had three tries disallowed which would have completely changed the picture of the game but if we can apply ourselves against York as we did against Hunslet I think we could get our reward."

Lynx have just signed ex-Oldham kicker Mick Farrell who could be in line for his first game, while hooker Gareth Potter could make his full debut.

Kevin O'Loughlin faces a late fitness test on a knee injury and stand-off Neil Alexander is expected to recover from an ankle strain.

Wasps: McCracken, Ryce, Lee, Lambert, McKenzie, Cain, Preston, Hayes, Pallister, S Hill, Judge, A Hill, Hargrave. Subs: Hagan, Dobson, Callaghan, McTigue.

Lynx (from): Roberts, Kay, Mead, Garcia, Jones, Alexander, Butler, Prescott, Ramsdale, Potter, Norton, Vincent, Smith, Doherty, Houghton, Lewis, Parker, O'Loughlin, Farrell.

Referee: Alan Bates (Workington)

Kick-off: 3pm (at Victory Park, Chorley).

Wasps are running a supporters' bus to the match, leaving Huntington Stadium at 11.30am with the usual pick-up points. The cost is £8.

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