Crusaders hand Tansey chance to make Super League comeback

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Jordan Tansey is in line to make his debut for Crusaders this weekend after being offered a Super League lifeline.

The former Leeds utility player was sacked by Hull last month after the latest in a series of drink-related disciplinary problems. Since then, he has been playing for Dewsbury in the Co-operative Championship, but now the Wrexham-based club has signed him on an 18-month contract.

"I'm delighted to sign a player of Jordan's outstanding qualities," said the coach of Crusaders, Iestyn Harris. "He wants to get back to playing at the highest level and showing everybody what a great player he can be."

Tansey is likely to go straight into the squad for the game at Castleford on Sunday. His arrival is timely, because Crusaders have not won since the opening day of the season and are still waiting for three of their players – Rhys Hanbury, Frank Winterstein and the new signing, Hep Cahill – to complete the immigration formalities that will allow them to enter the country.

Crusaders have been drawn at Harris's old club, Leeds, in the only all-Super League tie in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup on 7 May.

"We've been dealt a tough tie, especially with it being away," he said. "Leeds have a fantastic pedigree in the competition and will certainly start as favourites."

Meanwhile, Crusaders are to submit their application tomorrow for a licence to continue to play in Super League. Their chief executive, Rod Findlay, says that the club has a solid, long-term future at the Racecourse Ground.

Crusaders are unlikely to face Danny Orr at the Probiz Coliseum. The Castleford captain has a shoulder injury and the Tigers are waiting for the results of scans.

St Helens' Scott Moore has been called up to face a charge of making a dangerous tackle on the Leeds player Kevin Sinfield at tonight's disciplinary hearing.