FORMER York RL favourites Mark Cain and Alex Godfrey might be set to return to Huntington Stadium with the York City Knights.

The Knights have refused to comment on the speculation until chief executive Steve Ferres returns from holiday next week, but Cain told the Evening Press initial talks had taken place.

It is thought that former York player of the year Richie Hayes, now 32, might also be on the Knights' shopping list, though neither the club nor the prop have confirmed this.

All three players have starred this season for Hull Kingston Rovers, who finished fourth in the Northern Ford Premiership before being knocked out in the promotion play-offs by Oldham.

But with coach Gary Wilkinson leaving and no replacement yet installed, their futures at Craven Park are unresolved and it is known that Cain and 23-year-old Godfrey - both still based in York - are now out of contract.

Cain, who has also attracted interest from other clubs, said: "York are my home town team and if it's going to happen for them I would like to be part of it. But they've got to get rid of the old stigma of last year and years gone by."

The 26-year-old half-back, who returned for a second spell with York last season after a year with Dewsbury, left for Rovers immediately after the Wasps went bust and understandably needs guarantees the Knights would not go the same way.

"I'm sure they won't because Steve Ferres has an excellent track record but it would be a gamble to leave Hull KR unless it's going to be right," he said: "I have spoken to York but I won't be rushing into anything."

Cain, a former New Earswick All Black, made his York debut in 1995 and both he and Godfrey played in the Wasps' promotion season of 1998, when they finished second in the old Division Two.

The pacy Godfrey, then a teenager, scored nine tries in 18 appearances that year before leaving for Dewsbury. He joined Rovers in May 2001 and quickly became a crowd favourite with the Robins, scoring 25 tries in 42 appearances from full-back or wing.

It is believed he, like Cain, has not ruled out a move to York but is keeping his options open.

Updated: 12:25 Saturday, October 05, 2002