FORMER Super League star Gareth Stephens has dealt York Wasps another blow by leaving the club after playing just four games.

Like Spencer Hargrave, scrum-half Stephens believes he can no longer afford to play for the Wasps under the new payment plan introduced as part of the Company Voluntary Arrangement.

He has not yet spoken to coach Lee Crooks about his decision but the Wasps chief is aware of his position.

"I believe he has decided to leave the club," said the Wasps boss of Stephens, who was sidelined for the first five games of the season through injury. "He is unhappy at the pay structure and feels he is not getting any enjoyment out the game.

"He was one of our more experienced players but in saying that, although he tried hard on Sunday a lot of stuff he did was off the cuff and no use to the side at all.

"When Gareth's on-form he can dictate matters but he's found it very difficult to get to the sort of form we know he can.

"Obviously it's one less member to the squad. As each week goes by it gets harder and harder."

Crooks is now calling on the remaining players to pull out all the stops.

"It's a difficult situation so I'm relying on players' integrity. If you pull a shirt on you've got to go out there and do yourself justice.

"You've got to ask yourself why you play this game. They might not be playing for much money but they still need to have a professional attitude otherwise they might as well be playing amateur football.

"I hope we've got enough players who will go out and give it their best shot.

"I've said to them we're looking for performance, I'm not interested in results. If the performance gets better and better I think the results will take care of themselves.

"You can't knock their effort but you have to look at how much more they can give. Some can give a lot more and others have achieved what they can achieve. Whether that's good enough we'll have to wait and see."

Stephens' departure paves the way for Gareth Oulton and Danny Waite to battle for the scrum-half shirt. Oulton, signed from amateurs Lock Lane, will get the nod at Widnes tomorrow (3pm) ahead of recent arrival Waite who was unable to train on Thursday due to work commitments.

Waite will be on the bench and Crooks may switch them at some stage of the game.

Forward Jason Gatus will make his Wasps return more than three years after leaving the club - if he can be registered in time.

The Heworth star has impressed during training this week and Crooks is keen to give him a chance on Sunday, along with fellow forward Lea Tichener who is set to make his York comeback.

Darren Crake is out with a cracked knuckle which will be X-rayed on Monday.

Backs Chris Allen and Matt Mulholland come into contention having recovered from injury but Crooks will not name his side until tomorrow morning when they will have a light training session before setting off for Widnes.

The big-spending Vikings had hoped to buy their way into Super League but their season has not gone according to plan and they currently lie seventh.

Forward Joe Faimalo is out with a broken thumb and Chris McKinney is suffering from a rib injury, both sustained in last week's 54-10 Cup defeat at the hands of Bradford Bulls.

Simon Knox and Steve Holgate, who missed the game with the Bulls, are expected to be ready for action again.

Updated: 14:20 Saturday, February 17, 2001