YORK City Knights boss Mick Cook reckons Peter Fox's situation at Leeds Rhinos has changed little, despite the winger missing out on a top 20 squad jersey.

Leeds announced yesterday that Fox's fellow young gun, Lee Smith, had won the race for the number five shirt at Headingley, suggesting he is now the first-choice winger along with new Aussie Scott Donald.

Cook, however, believes the door is still open for York-born Fox and, while he would gladly have the 21-year-old back at Huntington Stadium for the 2006 season, has advised him to keep battling away for a chance in Super League.

"Obviously Foxy will be disappointed, but Smith getting the shirt does not necessarily mean he is going to play," said Cook.

"Tony Smith (Leeds coach) will play people who are playing well and who he thinks will develop.

"I think it's still a black-ball game. All the lads are still there chomping for a place and it doesn't matter if they've got the number five shirt or 25 shirt - if they're putting in good performances, they will get in.

"At the end of the day, Foxy's got to pull his chin in, put his chest out and keep working hard."

Fox, a former York Acorn ARLC junior, scored a club record 25 tries in a season while on loan at the Knights last year to help them to the LHF National League Two title, and the promotion of his wing rival has not harmed the chances of his returning to his home-town club on a new arrangement.

But Cook said: "I haven't been informed that Foxy is up for loan. Tony Smith will still be looking at his squad and there is still a big light at the end of the tunnel for him at Leeds."

That light could shine brighter should Fox play well, if selected, for Leeds in the friendly at the Knights a week tomorrow. The winger scored a hat-trick in the corresponding fixture last season, on his debut for York.

"The standards there are very high - they're one of the top four clubs in the country - so he's got to keep working hard to get up there and stay there," added Cook.

Lee Smith - who had always been the favourite in the five-horse race to land the final place in Leeds' 20-man senior squad having scored eight tries in ten Super League appearance last season - becomes the 11th member of the club's Academy to be promoted to the first team squad.

"I'm very pleased and, with the quality of the squad we've got, a bit shocked," said the 19-year-old, whom Cook knew well from his time in charge of the Rhinos' prosperous youth set-up.

"As far as I'm concerned, it is only a squad number and nothing changes. My goal is to play wing or full-back regularly for Leeds' first team this season."

Doncaster release Pratt

Doncaster Lakers have released Karl Pratt, the recent signing from Bradford, after less than a month with the club.

After being appointed head coach this week following the death of St John Ellis, Tony Miller decided Pratt does not fit into his plans. "Karl was brought to the club with a view to proving his fitness and earning a contract. But things haven't worked out and, after assessing the squad, I have released him." he said.

Pratt, 25, quit Super League due to shoulder problems, but believed he could still perform in National League One.

Updated: 09:56 Saturday, January 07, 2006