A SENSATIONAL return to York City Knights for former favourite Peter Fox has been labelled “highly unlikely” by the club – but another winger has agreed terms to stay at Huntington Stadium in 2012.

England international Fox, the former York Acorn ARLC junior who broke try-scoring records in his two-year spell at the Knights in 2005 and 2006, has been told he is free to find another club by Hull KR, despite having another year left to run on his three-year contract.

No offers have yet come in for him but Knights general manager Ian Wilson feels the 26-year-old – who scored seven tries in six England appearances, the last of which was in 2009 – is unlikely to step down to the Championships.

Wilson, however, has confirmed current Knights threequarter Dave Sutton has agreed a new deal, to add to fellow young-gun Ed Smith’s retention.

‘Acomb flier’ Fox – who told The Press he would one day like to play at Huntington Stadium again after his two-try show in Rovers’ Challenge Cup win there in May – has been deemed surplus to requirements at Rovers after a campaign in which he has scored in just two of 15 Super League appearances.

However, the transfer deadline has passed for Championship clubs so his home-town club cannot look at a loan deal for the remainder of this season.

Moreover, his agent, David Howes, says the player is keen to rediscover England form, and Wilson – while stating the Knights would “of course” be interested in bringing him back if feasible – said: “I’d be very surprised if he didn’t get another Super League contract somewhere.

“He was an international not long ago and you don’t become a bad player overnight. He’s just fallen out of favour but he’s a Super League quality player.”

As for former St Helens academy winger Sutton, 21, who has scored five tries in 19 appearances since head coach Dave Woods brought him to York last winter, Wilson said: “Like Ed, he’s another good lad to have around. There are never any issues, he trains hard and gives his best every week.”

Player/assistant-coach Chris Thorman had further praise for the winger, suggesting the club were onto a winner.

“I think he’s a player who’s had a bit of pressure on him but he’s stood up to that pressure,” said Thorman.

“He’s young but very talented and he’s been well schooled at St Helens. It was quite a big step up for him from academy rugby to the Championship but I think he’s done well and he’s going to improve more.

“He’s big, powerful and quick, and he’s receptive. He listens and is willing to learn and that’s the kind of people you want at a club.”