YORK City Knights boss Mick Cook has urged Mark Cain not to push himself too quickly as he looks to earn a new contract at Huntington Stadium.

The utility star, who holds the record of five tries in a match for the new club, suffered an awful shoulder injury early last season which required major surgery and ruled him out for the year.

The 27-year-old has been back in pre-season training as he seeks a new deal at his home-town club, but he is still unable to do all the weight and contact training and Cook says he should not risk new setbacks.

"He's had a serious injury which needs quite a long rehabilitation process," explained the Knights head coach.

"He's still fighting to get back and his shoulder is getting better but he needs to be patient and see how it improves over the next month or two.

"There is still a fair way before we start playing and even if he's not ready for the start of the season (in February), we've got a good squad and it's not as if we can't handle it.

"He needs to make sure he's 100 per cent when he comes back. He can't shave anything off the rehab, jump back in and risk taking more backwards steps."

Centre Chris Spurr, who rejoined the club in October after his own injury nightmare - a broken ankle suffered while playing for England Students a year ago ruled him out for all of 2005 - has suffered a new blow after picking up a calf problem in training. However, Cook says this is only minor and he should be back in full swing before Christmas.

Cook, meanwhile, reckoned the new-look squad would have benefited from some team bonding last Saturday. The club sponsored the York RUFC match against Sheffield at Clifton Park, which saw the players attend the game after training.

Cook said: "It was the first time the lads have had the chance to meet up together on a social event. It was a bit more relaxed atmosphere than in training and it was good for us."

Updated: 09:49 Saturday, December 10, 2005