LEIGH Centurions have got caught up in a tangle of red tape as they continue to put together a squad for 2006.
Leigh have agreed terms with Oldham's Cook Island internationals, Tere Glassie and Jonathan 'Dana' Wilson, but must fight a counter-claim from York City Knights who also believe they have signed the pair.
Back rower Glassie and prop Wilson are reported to have signed contracts to play with the newly-promoted Knights last week - but a couple of days later did a 'U' turn after learning of interest from another club, believed to be Leigh.
But by that time the Knights had already lodged the players' registrations with the RFL, and it would now be within their rights to demand a fee.
Knights chief executive John Guildford said: "It's disappointing that they have done this - but if they don't want to put on the Knights shirt, we don't want them."
Leigh have spoken with York and are confident that they will negotiate a release that would allow them to move to Hilton Park.
"Subject to a successful release from York, Glassie and Wilson will be Leigh players," said Leigh's football director Steve Grainey.
Second rower Glassie has had experience in the top grade in Australia as well as the Batercard Cup in New Zealand.
Twenty-one-year-old Wilson played alongside Glassie the successful Cook Island team which won the Pacific Rim Cup.
But one successful deal Leigh have concluded is the capture of Wigan's Senior Academy captain, Danny Speakman.
Speakman, aged 19, is a centre or back rower who this season swept the board at the club's junior awards ceremony.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article