The lure of linking up again with his York Wasps team-mates proved impossible to resist for back on board Craig Booth.

ACTION MAN: York Wasps RL ace Craig Booth powers his way through the opposition

The 29-year-old retired midway through last season because of a groin injury but he has returned to Huntington Stadium at the request of coach Dean Robinson.

He has spent the last few months coaching Yorkshire League amateur side Ackworth and did not expect to play again.

But after spending the festive period on holiday he had a change of heart, as he explained: "I'd been reading in the paper about my old mates playing. I thought I'd fallen out with the game but after reading things and talking to people I got the buzz back. Then Dean's rung me and asked me to come back so I thought why not?"

He has initially signed a one-month contract to test out the groin problem. If the injury stands up to the rigours of training and playing then he will be happy to discuss terms for a longer stay, although it is in coaching where he sees his future.

Last season was not a happy time for prop forward Booth. He played just 14 games, two of which ended in dismissals and two in sin-binnings.

He was never able to rediscover the form he had shown in 1998 and then came the injury.

"I decided to retire," said Booth. "I've got a good job at home and if I'd carried on playing I would have needed a full blown operation which would have meant taking time off work so I decided to leave it as it is.

"But I've had steroid injections and six months off and it's alright. The only thing that will stop me playing is if the groin goes again.

"I'm going to work with Dean Thomas (conditioner) this week and I'll have another steroid injection in three months which should make it even stronger."

Although admitting feeling tired after playing 60 minutes in thre thrilling win against Sheffield Eagles last Sunday, he felt no reaction to the injury.

He came on for Andy Precious midway through the first half and slotted back in as if he had never been away.

Many of the players still remain from his last term and he commented: "I know most of them and everybody has welcomed me back with open arms - it's good to be back.

"I saw the Hunslet friendly and was impressed with the new players but I haven't played with them yet. It's nice to have Spencer Hargrave and Andy Hill back but I don't know much about the Hull lads."

Booth couldn't have chosen a more exciting game to make his return, though he claimed York should have had the match wrapped up before Andy Precious's last minute field goal.

His pass set up Shaun Austerfield for a try which put York ahead for the first time in the second half and that should have proved the turning point according to Booth.

"Once we scored that try to go six points ahead we should have capitalised and kept them pegged down but we've given a stupid ball away and they've run away and scored. I thought they were down and out."

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