RICHARD Agar has dismissed as rumours speculation linking him with the vacant role at Hull FC - saying he is fully committed to his York City Knights job.

Airlie Birds director of rugby Shaun McRae's decision to return to Australia after this season will see his second-in-command, John Kear, promoted to the top job.

This leaves a gap for a new assistant-boss at the KC Stadium, and Agar's name was among a number being banded about.

But he told the Evening Press he has had no communication with the Super League high-fliers and said: "It's just rumours. It is speculation and I won't be giving it much thought."

A spokesman for Hull said the club were in the process of "dotting the i's and crossing the t's" of Kear's new deal, after which they would be able to announce the name of the new assistant "fairly soon". He could not say who was in the running for that role.

Other names being mentioned are former Hull stars Steve McNamara and Tony Smith, who are assistant coaches at Super League rivals Bradford Bulls and Wakefield respectively.

McNamara had been offered the job before Kear joined the club but turned it down because he wanted to play another year in the top flight with Huddersfield.

Neil Kelly and former York star Graham Steadman, sacked from the hot-seats at Widnes and Castleford this season, are also in the frame.

However, Agar, clearly regarded as one of rugby league's up-and-coming coaches, was focusing only on his position at Huntington Stadium.

He added: "We're in a bit of a rut at the moment and I'm fully concentrated on getting us out of it. That is all I am thinking about.

"It's an important time in the year for us and I want to make sure we work hard and get out of it."

Agar's men suffered their third straight defeat on Sunday, going down at Hunslet, but at least they suffered no new injuries.

The upcoming free weekend - the National League fixture programme goes on hold due to the Arriva Trains Cup final - also gives the three long-term crocks, Jim Elston (knee), Chris Smith (knee) and Dan Briggs (hamstring) extra time to recover from their injuries.

According to Agar, Smith, who has played just four games in 13 months due to knee problems, is still some time away from a comeback, while prop forward Briggs is making only slow improvement. However, it is hoped that impact hooker Elston would be back for the Knights' next league game, against promotion rivals Sheffield Eagles at Don Valley Stadium a week tomorrow.

Anyone wanting to go on this Sunday's fundraising clay pigeon shoot and barbecue is urged to book a place as soon as possible. The family event is to raise cash for Knights community development officer Jason Ramshaw to tour down under with the British Police Rugby League Association.

The shoot will take place near Lotherton Hall from 10am to 2pm and costs £20 per person. The barbecue will follow at the Boot 'n' Shoe pub in Barkston Ash. Knights players and notable RL personalities such as Darryl Powell and Paul Broadbent will be attending. For details and/or booking, contact Ramshaw at the club office, 01904 656 105.

Deal for Lee shelved

York City Knights are unlikely to pursue a deal with winger Jason Lee after he failed to get back in touch with the Huntington Stadium club.

The Evening Press revealed last week that the Wales international was close to signing for the Knights but it now appears he has changed his mind, with reports elsewhere that he had actually put pen to paper proving premature.

The goal-kicking winger is a former Keighley player and they were also thought to be on his tail, although there has been no news of a deal at Cougar Park.

Lee, who has also played for Warrington, has more recently been with Doncaster but has not featured for the Dragons for some time and has instead been turning out for National League Three high-fliers Bradford Dudley Hill, although he did not play at the weekend.

Lee apparently told the Knights he would attend training last week but did not show up and has since not been back in touch with the club.

Knight chief executive Steve Ferres said: "He hasn't signed. At this moment in time we've left it with the lad and he's not got back to us."

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, July 15, 2004