Coach Dean Robinson was today holding a head count ahead of York RL's 'back on' battle with Bramley.

The Wasps were expected to train tonight for the first time in two weeks after the players agreed to complete the Second Division campaign.

However, Robinson faces a race against time to field a side for the fixture, which will go ahead on Sunday at 3pm.

Forward Mick Ramsden is unavailable until the club resolve the Rugby Football League transfer embargo, while Stuart Flowers and Leigh Deakin are maintaining their stand against the club.

But the coach was today believed to be in talks with Flowers with a view to the captain returning to the helm.

Loose forward Paul Darley is out with an elbow injury, on-loan Mick Crane was being contacted today and moves were being made to restore suspended prop Lea Tichener.

Robinson was also planning to contact Castleford Tigers coach Stuart Raper to secure the return of loan signings Gareth Dobson and Spencer Hargrave.

However, should Robinson's various efforts fail, the coach may be left with a bare minimum 17 first team players for the crucial match.

Said the coach: "I feel certain that we can make sure we have a squad capable and strong enough to see us through the next seven games.

"Obviously mentally and in their conditioning work the players are not what they were three weeks ago and just exactly how much the last two weeks has taken out of them remains to be seen.

Commenting on Tichener's future at the club, Robinson added: "He has been what I consider to be an early victim in the same crossfire that developed within the club and I am hopeful that all that saga is behind us.

"I rate Lea very highly. He is a proud man and we need to sit down and discuss one or two issues but I don't see any stumbling blocks to him returning to the fold."

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