Rugby League: Hammond put on list at pounds 150,000

ST HELENS have listed their Great Britain utility player, Karle Hammond, at pounds 150,000 after receiving a written transfer request.

Hammond was angry at being substituted to make way for the return of Keiron Cunningham against Hull on Sunday. Although the club regard him as a key member of the first-team squad and rejected an initial approach from Hull, they have now made him available. The fee they want for Hammond, who played twice for his country in New Zealand in 1996, is described as "non-negotiable".

Saints have agreed to let Dean Busby return to Hull on a month's loan. The England international loose forward moved to Saints in 1995 for pounds 80,000, but his time there has been blighted by injury.

Hull's priority remains finding a scrum-half to replace Glen Tomlinson, who is expected to be out all season with a broken shin.

The Salford coach, Andy Gregory, could be in trouble over remarks alleged to have been addressed to the referee during Sunday's defeat by Sheffield.

Gregory said nothing critical of Steve Ganson's performance after the match, but has been called to a hearing at Rugby League headquarters over comments from the touchline, picked up by both the match video and the fourth official.

The Hull KR coach, Dave Harrison, has also been asked to appear over comments made about the referee, Ronnie Laughton, after last week's defeat by Widnes. Harrison is alleged to have called Laughton "a clown."

The League has ruled that there is no evidence of the St Helens prop, Brett Goldspink, being bitten, as he claimed, in the match against Hull on Sunday. The incident was placed on report, but no action is to be taken against any Hull player.

Bradford have stepped up their search for a prop after losing Warren Jowitt for the season with a knee injury. They have made an informal approach for their former player, the St Helens and Great Britain centre, Paul Newlove, but have been given no encouragement.