Scrum-half Mick Crane has answered an SOS call from York Rugby League Club.

The 27-year-old play-maker has signed on loan until the end of the season from Hull KR as cover for injured first choice scrum-half David Brook.

Crane trained with the squad at Huntington Stadium last night to signal the start of his second loan spell with the Wasps.

The former Greatfield ARL player was released by York at the end of last season after 16 appearances in the Second Division and Divisional Premiership.

The scrum-half struck up a free-scoring partnership with stand-off Peter Fitzgerald, Crane contributing three tries including two on his debut against Rochdale.

But a permanent move failed to materialise, despite Rovers offering £15,000 and Crane for Rich Hayes towards the end of the 1997 season.

However, Crane is a definite starter against Doncaster Dragons at Huntington Stadium on Sunday, where he is likely to be in opposition to the man he replaced at York last season, Alex Green. Wasps coach Dean Robinson moved for Crane after it was confirmed that Brook, who missed last week's 13-4 defeat by Batley, had failed to recover from groin and knee injuries.

Andy Preston filled in against the Bulldogs but was replaced at half-time, with Lee Hanlan moving from stand-off to scrum-half.

Said Robinson: "We needed cover and we took him on loan to the end of the season. He will figure on Sunday because Brook is definitely out.

"Crane is familiar with myself and the set up within the club. He is a good man to bring on board with little time to spend with him to gel into the side. He is three-quarters of the way there after playing with us last season.

"I believe at this stage of the season we needed to strengthen in that area and it may be that we continue to looking for a further stand-off to add more intensity to that."

The Rugby Football League today confirmed that no further action would be taken against Batley's Tony Walton following his alleged high tackle on York's Stuart Flowers, which was placed on report by referee Ray Cornish.

Super League leaders Leeds will be without Australian loose forward Marc Glanville for Sunday's trip to Hull.

Glanville, who suffered a rib injury in last Friday's 54-4 win over Huddersfield, is replaced as a substitute by compatriot Jamie Mathiou.

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