Kohe-Love's nightmare ends

Toa Kohe-Love will hope to put almost two years of injury woe behind him when he makes his second debut for Warrington on Boxing Day.

Toa Kohe-Love will hope to put almost two years of injury woe behind him when he makes his second debut for Warrington on Boxing Day.

The Kiwi centre, who was with the Wolves from 1996 to 2001, had recurring shoulder problems after moving to Hull before losing virtually all of last season at Bradford for a knee reconstruction. He has now been passed fit and has been told that he will definitely face Widnes in the first of Warrington's pre-season friendlies.

The club have denied a fresh round of rumours that they are about to re-sign another of their old boys, Paul Sculthorpe, from St Helens. Sculthorpe was linked with his old team at the end of last season, despite denials from both clubs, and the story has surfaced again this week.

"It is only because he has been having his club car valeted in Warrington and someone has embellished the story," said a spokesman for Warrington. "We are not looking to make any more signings for next season."

Saints are keeping the Samoan winger, Dom Feaunati, in their squad for next season, despite him being given 200 hours of community service after pleading guilty to assaulting a three-year-old child by biting him.

Hull have hired the former Canadian Olympic sprint coach, Nick Ward, to work with their players in the build-up to next season. Ward helped to coach Donovan Bailey to a gold medal in the Atlanta games.

"I'm not saying that we're a slow side, because we're not," said the new Hull coach, John Kear. "However, I believe we can improve in this area and that's why we've brought in Nick."

St Helens are to be the first opponents for the new Blackpool Panthers club at Bloomfield Road on 30 January. The club, reassembled from the remnants of Chorley, have signed 24 players, although their deal with their landlords at Blackpool FC has still to be finalised.