FORMER York Wasps starlet Jonny Liddell has bounced back into the game with Leeds Rhinos.

The talented stand-off left Leeds to join the Wasps' cause after becoming surplus to requirements at Headingley following the scrapping of the Under-21 Alliance set-up.

But with the York club first folding and then disbanding completely, Liddell found himself without a team.

However, the 19-year-old former York Acorn youngster, whose only absence from the Wasps' side came in their 34-22 win over Chorley when he was suspended, has now been thrown a SL lifeline by Darryl Powell's in-form side.

With three players under the age of 21 allowed to play in the new-look U19s' set-up, Liddell, who now works for Jorvik Homes, has been given a chance to play again on a month-long loan.

And he has made an immediate impact by scoring a try against Wigan Warriors on his return.

"I went back a week ago," Liddell told the Evening Press. "I played against Wigan on Sunday and scored a try, so it was a good return.

"I'm only there for a month and it suits both me and Leeds. I can help them out while I get my foot back in the door after the disappointment at York.

"I would like to get back into rugby league, but I will see how this month goes then go and sit down and look at the options I've got available to me.

"Leeds contacted me and asked if I wanted to come down on a month's loan. It made sense really, I know a lot of the lads there and know I will be playing in a really good side.

"After the disappointments with everything that happened at York over the past five months or so it is nice to be back playing."

Liddell, who made his break in the Leeds Super League side against Wigan during his last spell at Headingley, will get another chance to impress when he lines up against Featherstone on Monday night.

Updated: 11:14 Saturday, May 25, 2002