Carney in limbo

Mystery surrounds the likely landing place in Britain of the troubled former Canberra half-back, Todd Carney.

Carney, sacked by the Raiders after a series of alcohol-fuelled incidents including urinating on a man's head in a nightclub and de-registered by the NRL for 2009, is seeking a one-year contract in Super League.

He has been reported in Australia as having signed for both Wigan and Huddersfield, but his agent, David Riolo, says that no deal has been done.

“He definitely hasn't signed or agreed anywhere,” he said. “Once I help Todd decide where he wants to be we'll get a deal done relatively quickly, but we're not at that stage.”

Castleford, Harlequins, Celtic Crusaders and Salford have also been linked with a player whose talent is not in doubt, even if his temperament is.

Wigan have admitted an interest in bringing him to the club as a replacement for Trent Barrett, who is returning home to Australia at the end of this season.

Leeds have had better news about their major overseas signing for next season. Danny Buderus has been told that he will be out of action for four months, rather than the six originally feared, with a ruptured bicep.

That means that the Newcastle and Australia hooker should be fit for the start of the new Super League campaign.

Castleford have given their young prop, Nathan Massey, who has spent this season on loan to York, an improved contract for next season.

The veteran scrum-half, Ian Watson, has agreed to stay on for another season at Leigh.

The MP for Leigh and Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham, is to be the Rugby League's guest of honour and present the Challenge Cup at Wembley on Saturday. Virgin Trains have warned St Helens fans that they cannot guarantee getting them to London on time on Saturday because of work on the West Coast main line.

Gates in National League 1 went up by 10 per cent this season to set a new record for the competition.