Wakefield dig in for long battle

Wakefield Trinity are to unveil survival plans to their sponsors and supporters that will be implemented even if they avoid the immediate threat of relegation this weekend.

The Trinity chairman Ted Richardson has called meetings with both groups next week and is stressing that there is much work to be done if the club is to stay in Super League, even if they beat Salford on Sunday to ward off the automatic drop.

The club's coach, John Harbin, has alleged that there is a conspiracy to relegate Trinity, even if they avoid finishing last. They will go into their last match without their prop Keith Mason, who has failed in an appeal against a two-match ban for a dangerous throw.

St Helens' Sonny Nickle, banned for six months for the high tackle that broke the jaw of the Leeds hooker, Robbie Mears, is to appeal against the severity of the sentence and his case will be heard next week. Meanwhile, Saints' coach, Ian Millward, is being linked in Sydney with the vacancy at the Australian club Penrith, who sacked Royce Simmons this week.

Hull have secured their promising young stand-off Paul Cooke on an extended four-year contract. In further good news for the Black and Whites, the Hull coach Shaun McRae has been named as Tetleys Super League Coach of the Month for August. The St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham took the players' award.