THE 'Cook Island affair' at York City Knights has taken a new twist with the belief that Tere Glassie has put pen to paper at Leigh Centurions.

The Evening Press revealed last week that Glassie and fellow Oldham forward Dana Wilson had both signed for York in a high-profile swoop by the National League Two champions, only to then do a sensational 'U'-turn and give back word.

It was thought then that Leigh had subsequently offered the pair better money and those reports have now been validated by Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton, who has told the Press he believed Glassie had now signed a deal with Leigh.

Confusingly, however, the Knights have already secured the back-rower's signature and lodged his registration with the Rugby Football League, so his immediate future is seemingly in their hands.

The mystery is compounded further by the fact Leigh football director Steve Grainey, who handles transfer deals, is on holiday in Spain this week and unavailable for comment.

Hamilton confirmed the Roughyeds had also offered new deals to Glassie and Wilson - dubbed the 'C££k Islanders' by Knights fans - but those were officially turned down only yesterday before both of them, along with Marty Turner, Oldham's Kiwi half-back who had also been targeted by the Knights, flew home to New Zealand.

It is thought Wilson and Turner, who has also rejected Oldham's new offer, are now unlikely to return to England.

Super League hopefuls Castleford Tigers and Whitehaven have both been given the thumbs up for promotion from National League One meaning Widnes Vikings are definitely relegated.

Both Cas and Whitehaven passed the ground and financial requirements to join Super League meaning whoever wins Sunday's grand final will go up.

Updated: 09:56 Tuesday, October 04, 2005