York City Knights appear to be favourites to sign Hull Kingston Rovers second-row forward Dean Andrews.

It is thought Rovers do not want to part with the 23-year-old utility player so it would be another coup for the Knights if he was to join former York Wasps heroes Mark Cain and Richie Hayes in making the switch from Craven Park.

As revealed by the Evening Press last month, speedy full-back Alex Godfrey also looks set to make the move back to Huntington Stadium from the Robins, while former Hull and Great Britain hooker Lee Jackson is also a possibility if he can not find himself a Super League club.

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said: "We have an interest in Dean Andrews and we've been talking to him.

"He's a second-row forward who can also do a good job on the wing or at centre and he would be a good signing for us."

Hull-born Andrews signed pro forms for Rovers in 1998 after coming through the Academy ranks, and spent much of 1999 on loan at Doncaster Dragons.

The six-footer had a job to hold down a regular place in the strong Rovers pack last season and therefore much of his game-time came out wide, but he still impressed in his 17 appearances.

Meanwhile, the Knights have lost out in the race to sign York-based half-back Scott Rhodes, who has joined Dewsbury Rams. Rhodes became a free agent in the close season after not being offered a new contract by Sheffield Eagles.

Ferres added: "We were interested in him but his demands exceeded what we could afford to pay.

"He got a more-than-reasonable deal from Dewsbury, but I'm confident of getting someone of his ability or better."

Updated: 12:24 Tuesday, November 12, 2002