Cooke's Hull KR future undecided
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Your support makes all the difference.The future of Paul Cooke is likely to be decided this week, with all the indications that the controversial stand-off is on his way out of Hull KR.
Cooke has not played for Rovers since being sent home from training for being in an unfit state last month and is due to meet the club's chairman, Neil Hudgell, to discuss the way forward. His coach, Justin Morgan, says there could be a future for him at Craven Park – but only if he changes his off-field habits.
Hudgell returned yesterday after a two-week holiday and said: "The coach has kept me informed and I support him in what he has done. The three of us need to sit down now and work out the best way ahead."
If that means Cooke leaving the club he joined in acrimonious circumstances from Hull 16 months ago, Rovers will be looking for a substantial fee for him.
"We have invested a lot in him," said Hudgell. Even with his record of trouble off the field, there is every chance that a rival club would buy him.
Salford, who have a Super League licence for the next three years, have ruled themselves out of the running for Cooke, despite the admiration of their coach, Shaun McRae, for a player who did well for him at Hull.
They have admitted an interest, however, in an equally troubled figure – the Canberra Raiders' half-back, Todd Carney, who faces the prospect of being sacked by the club after a series of alcohol-fuelled incidents.
The Leeds Rhinos forward, Ali Lauitiiti, faces a charge of striking with the forearm at tonight's disciplinary hearing, following a tackle during the 22-12 defeat at Warrington on Saturday.
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