Wakefield resigned to losing Brough but expect to sign Cooke

Wakefield Trinity have admitted giving up hope of retaining the services of their scrum-half, Danny Brough. The player is out of contract at the end of the season, but is now expected to join Huddersfield before then, with a substantial transfer fee going in the opposite direction. Trinity's executive director, Diane Maskill, admitted that talks with the Giants had already taken place. By way of consolation for Trinity, they are still expected to sign the Hull KR playmaker Paul Cooke, initially on loan, this week.

Crusaders could give a second new signing a debut against Catalan Dragons on Friday, with the former Queensland full-back, Clinton Schifcofske, set to join Gareth Thomas in their squad. Two Super League players face possible bans tonight, with Huddersfield's Andy Raleigh charged with punching and Salford's Jeremy Smith with use of the forearm.