York WASPS coach Lee Crooks said he now had the job of keeping the players' minds focused on tomorrow's home clash with Keighley Cougars.

"It is a big distraction for everybody. I'd be lying if I said I'd expect the players to be totally focused because it will be in the back of their minds, thinking how does it affect me," conceded the Wasps boss.

"A lot of it is how people respond to adversity. Some people respond well, other people it puts them off.

"I will talk to the players individually next week about what it means to them.

"I'll be trying very hard to make sure the players get to hear what they want to hear.

"I need to sit down with Ann (Garvey) and try to work out what strategy we need to undertake and what money is available.

"I honestly hope everybody gets behind us and we all focus on taking the club up the league. I don't see any reason why we can't get a win on Sunday."

York have opened their season with defeats at the hands of Doncaster and Hull KR.