Wakefield could be forced to release prop Stosic

(Getty)

James Stosic's future with Wakefield is in doubt following his failure to secure a Macedonian passport. The New Zealand-born prop, previously with Cronulla and the Gold Coast, played for Wakefield as an overseas player last season and was to be retained on the understanding that he would be exempt from the import quota of five per club.

"When James joined the club it was made clear that he had to have a passport that would remove him from the overseas quota," said the Wildcats' coach, John Kear. "So far that hasn't happened and, if he doesn't succeed by the end of the month, we will have to release him. We would like to keep James, but if he can't get a passport the matter is out of our hands." Wakefield already have their limit of five overseas players contracted for 2010.

Chris Walker's agent says that the Players' Association in Britain is backing his claim that Bradford should honour a contract with Walker rather than sign Matt Orford. The Bulls deny that any deal was finalised with Walker, leaving them free to complete their quota by signing Orford.

The Bulls announced on Monday that 31-year-old scrum-half Orford, the winner of the Dally M Medal as Australia's premier player last year, would be joining them on a three-year contract from 2010.

Paul Deacon, the scrum-half released by Bradford to Wigan in order to make way for Orford, has spoken of his delight at joining his home-town club. "Living here all my life, there's always been something burning inside to play for Wigan," he said.