DEAN Robinson will this week go in search of the winning combination to get York Wasps' Premiership play-off charge back on track.

The Wasps boss was forced to admit that he is yet to find a successful half-back pairing following Sunday's poor 26-14 defeat at Workington.

Stand off Mark Cain and scrum half Mick Crane were ineffective in breaking down an average Town defence and Robinson revealed he would be seeking the solution ahead of Sunday's home game with Batley Bulldogs.

"There is a problem with the starting half-backs for next week and I've told the players the shirts are up for grabs.

Hopefully we'll work hard this week and get the right combination," said Robinson.

Mark Cain has made a fine start to the season and it would be a major surprise if he was to lose the number six shirt but the scrum half role is proving more difficult to fill. The seven-match ban handed to Andy Preston for his sending off against Egremont has ruled him out of all York's opening league games, though his suspension will be completed after Sunday's game.

His absence has left John Strange as Robinson's first choice scrum half and, though he and Cain started off the season well, their partnership has failed to develop.

Mick Crane was reinstalled against Workington but he also failed to provide the inspiration and Robinson may now look for new direction, possibly in the shape of Darren Callaghan. The former Acorn ace took over the role late on at Derwent Park and showed flashes of brilliance which suggested he could be the answer.

His performance certainly impressed Robinson who said: "He did very well when he switched to scrum half and was perhaps the only one in the half back positions who looked the part."

There are also problems in the three-quarters and Robinson hinted that may be where the search for new blood will begin.

Chris Hocputt has already been ruled out long term and Rich Goddard's withdrawal on Friday night with a hamstring injury left Shaun Austerfield as the only recognised centre.

That forced Chris Judge to switch to the centre from the second row but that did not prove a great success.

"Judge was the only alternative but he wasn't at home there. He looked a different player when we moved him back into the second row," admitted Robinson.

Attempts to bring some loan players to Huntington Stadium last week came to nothing but Robinson confirmed he has not given up hope of adding to the squad before the Batley game.

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