York Rugby League Club have turned down an "insulting" offer from Dewsbury Rams for promising winger Alex Godfrey.

Wasps Coach Dean Robinson revealed their first division rivals had made a bid of £4,000 for the 19-year-old who has also been offered a new two-year deal by York. Said Robinson: "Dewsbury have made their first official approach for Alex but the price was insulting. We are now waiting for a more realistic offer.

"The door is still open to Alex to sign for York. He has a good two-year contract on the table. I have no problem with him returning but if he feels he needs to go to pastures new then so be it."

Godfrey confirmed he had still not made a decision about his immediate future.

He said Robinson had stopped him from training with the rest of the squad after he refused to put pen to paper on a new contract.

Godfrey said: "Dean Robinson gave me an ultimatum that if I hadn't made a decision by last Thursday he'd put me on the transfer list. I wasn't ready to make a decision. Now he has stopped me training.

"If I leave I feel it's York's loss. I feel I'm good enough to play for another first division club, not necessarily Dewsbury, and there is still time before the start of the season."

Robinson said the decision to stop Godfrey training was a practical and not a personal one. "He won't be able to train with the rest of the squad as he may well move on and would take with him knowledge that I would prefer to be kept within the confines of this club," he said.

Robinson revealed he expects to complete the signing of scrum half Mick Crane on a one-year contract tomorrow night. Crane, currently playing in the National Conference League with Hull Dockers, impressed at York during two spells on loan from Hull Kingston Rovers last season. He will become Robinson's second new signing following the capture of Peter Edwards from Salford Reds.

But that will not be the end of Robinson's squad strengthening. His main priority is in the second row where he has lost four players since last season.

Loan signings Spencer Hargrave and Andy Hill have both returned to Castleford Tigers, Australian Matt Lambert has been released to make way for Edwards on the overseas quota and Stuart Flowers has turned down a new contract.

Robinson confirmed he is close to agreeing terms with two new players who fit the bill and has also entered into negotiations with another couple of forwards and a utility back, but talks are at an early stage.

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