York Rugby League Club were today confident of pulling off a major transfer coup by netting out of favour Hull Sharks pair Mark Hewitt and Jon Aston.

Scrum-half Hewitt, the first division's leading points scorer in 1997, and prop forward Aston are poised to join the Wasps on loan after finding themselves out in the cold in the Sharks' new Super League era.

Despite being at the forefront of Hull's first division championship winning campaign with 186 league points, 24-year-old Hewitt was not offered a Super League contract by coach Peter Walsh.

And the Evening Press understands that 21-year-old Aston has been encouraged to step down to the first or second division to prove he is worthy of a place at the Boulevard in 1999.

The pair will have an immediate opportunity to prove themselves against Super League opposition if Wasps coach Dean Robinson is successful in adding them to his squad ahead of Friday's friendly with Leeds Rhinos.

The duo were expected to sign on one month loan agreements last night but the moves hit an unexpected hitch, which should be ironed out within the next two days.

Said the Wasps boss: "They have not signed yet but they will have signed by Thursday night and both will hopefully be playing on Friday."

Great Britain Under-21 international Hewitt featured in all but three of the Shark's league and cup games last season, kicking 136 goals and scoring nine tries in a points total of 312.

The former Hull Academy player helped himself to 20 points when the Wasps visited the Boulevard in the Divisional Premiership in September.

The Wasps are believed to have beaten off late interest from first division side Keighley Cougars, with sources confirming new coach Lee Crooks made inquiries about Hewitt last week.

Robinson added: "I am pretty confident of signing them but money talks. Hewitt could like what he sees and could want to come but if Keighley come in and offer £100 more, he is going to Keighley. They are great signings if we can get them. We will just have to play it as we get it."

In contrast to Hewitt, Aston struggled to break into the Hull side after starting the league season with six consecutive substitute appearances.

However, he flourished in the Alliance side under the guidance of coach Russ Walker and signalled his return to form in the Divisional Premiership.

The former Hull KR prop spent a tough winter across the Channel playing with French division one side Carcassonne before returning to find himself on the Humberside club's transfer list.

The double signing would leave Robinson with one of his four permitted loan slots available for a possible further signing from Super League partners Castleford Tigers.

The club's loan overload was eased after Robinson signed Steve and Andy Hill on one-year deals from the Tigers, and Alex Godfrey's permanent move from Hull went through.

Utility back Jamie Benn, who was expected to join York on loan from Castleford, has been retained at Wheldon Road and is the final member of the Tigers' 25-man Super League squad.

Meanwhile, several York players in danger of the axe, as reported by the Evening Press last week, have won a stay of execution due to injuries afflicting the squad.

Robinson plans to reduce his squad to 25 ahead of the second division season but has offered those under threat a 'last chance' against Leeds Rhinos on Friday and then against Doncaster Dragons the following week.

The date of the friendly with Doncaster has been changed once again. The game will now be played on Thursday, March 26, kick off 7.30pm, and not Sunday, March 29.

The venue has yet to be decided but favourite is the Belle Vue home of Doncaster Rovers Football Club.

The game was brought forward to avoid a clash with the second Silk Cut Challenge Cup semi-final on March 29.

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