Half-back Danny Waite is not about to desert York Wasps' sinking ship, despite Sunday's embarrassing 78-8 defeat at lowly Chorley Lynx.

Waite, signed from Castleford Tigers last month, confirmed he was approached by Featherstone Rovers about a month ago.

However, he told them he was sticking by the Wasps as he has great respect for coach Lee Crooks.

"At present my loyalties are with the Wasps to help them out of this crisis but we'll see how things go," he said.

His words, and those of the fans, will be of some comfort to Crooks who will tonight try to thrash out a way forward with chairman John Stabler.

The supporters who travelled to Chorley were devastated by the performance but do not hold Crooks responsible.

Louise Ince, chairman of the Supporters Club, said: "We are all behind Lee and do not blame him for what happened. We hope he will stay and help us out of this crisis."

Although Crooks admitted he is considering his future, he hinted he will not turn his back on the Wasps.

He is already talking about getting round to as many games as he can next weekend to scout for potential new recruits. But he insists that any players who join York must be willing to put in the hard yards.

"I need at least another six players - three back rowers and three centres or wingers. We need competition for places and at the moment we haven't got that," declared the Wasps boss.

"But it's no good having players who just go through the motions. We've got to have 23 or 24 players down there who are committed and want to improve.

"We have some players who think they're doing me and the club a favour just by turning up and they're not.

"I've dragged myself up off the floor enough times in my career and my private life to know that if you want something enough you'll get it if you're prepared to put the work in."

Crooks admitted he would have to start getting tough with the players to stand any chance of turning the situation around.

The small wages players were receiving meant they were putting work first, so many were not training. And with such a small squad, they knew they were still guaranteed a place in the team.

He said: "Discipline's slackened a bit. The players have been dictating to me what happens whereas I should be dictating to them."

The Wasps could be dealt another blow tonight when prop Mick Hagan appears before the RFL disciplinary committee. He was sent off against Chorley for illegal use of the forearm.

Updated: 13:16 Tuesday, March 20, 2001