SHAUN Austerfield has become the latest York Wasps' favourite to return to the Huntington Stadium fold, writes Peter Martini.

The 26-year-old try-scoring centre was forced to quit midway through last season as he was unable to afford to continue playing once the club entered into the company voluntary arrangement.

Though he returned for a couple of games, work commitments then ruled him out for the remainder of the Northern Ford Premiership.

However, the former Bradford, Dewsbury and Villeneuve player has now signed a new one-year deal with the rebuilding Wasps and is eager to get back into action for what will be his fifth successive season at Huntington Stadium.

"I just hope we can get on track and have a good season, getting into the top eight," he told the Evening Press.

"I had to work as well last season and basically I could not afford to play, but I'm back now and I'm looking forward to the new campaign."

Chief executive Ann Garvey said: "I'm absolutely delighted that he's signed as we've been after him for a while.

"We were disappointed when he went last time but he was disappointed with what happened at the club and a player like him had every right to be.

"But he always said he would come back once things had got sorted out and he always wanted to play for York."

Updated: 11:59 Saturday, September 29, 2001