Speculation is mounting over the future of Paul Cooke after he was dropped from the Hull KR side for Sunday's city derby.
Stand-off replaced by youngster Chaz I'Anson
Tongues are wagging over the future of controversial stand-off Paul Cooke after he was dropped from the Hull KR side for Sunday lunchtime's city derby.
His omission has fuelled speculation he is set to be released by the club, just 15 months since his high-profile switch across the city.
Hull KR officials refused to give a reason for the stand-off's omission before the game at the KC Stadium.
His career at Rovers has been dogged by controversy from the outset, when the former England international was found guilty of making an illegal approach to Rovers and missed the first six games of this season as a result.
The 27-year-old then made his comeback in the Good Friday derby between the rivals and has since made 18 successive appearances for his boyhood club, scoring in them all.
But while he has played in every game, he has failed to display the form which he showed in his nine years at Hull.
Latest blow
In this latest blow, he has now fallen out of favour with coach Justin Morgan, with youngster Chaz I'Anson selected in his place.
Off the field, Hull-born Cooke has also had his share of troubles, having received three convictions in has many years.
He was recently banned from driving for 16 months after being caught over the legal limit for alcohol, and was previously found guilty of dangerous driving in April 2006 and was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service following a city centre brawl in October 2005.
In other news from the game, Hull were unable to hand former Rovers captain James Webster a debut after he failed to gain a British passport in time.
