Sprinter Chambers makes rapid exit from Castleford

(GETTY IMAGES)

Castleford's flirtation with Dwain Chambers is over, with the club deciding not to extend his stay after his one-month trial.

The sprinter, who served a two-year ban from athletics for steroid abuse, played half a game for Cas – a specially arranged reserve team friendly against York. If that showed how far he had to go in order to come to terms with the game, some at Castleford were keen to keep him on board for his promotional value.

"Our coaching team felt he would need a significant amount of time to prove whether or not he could make the grade," Castleford's chief executive Richard Wright said. "Unfortunately, time is something we don't have."

Chambers might now test the waters to see whether any other Super League club is interested in giving him a chance.

Two Super League clubs have made signings that are likely to have a greater impact on their prospects. Wakefield have recruited the Gold Coast winger, Matt Petersen, on a two-and-a-half year contract. Petersen, who has captained the US team, arrives next week.

Michael Dobson, previously with Catalan Dragons and Wigan, has agreed a similar deal with Hull KR, replacing James Webster, who has been released after being ruled out for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder. Rovers' players dedicated their victory over Hull at Cardiff to Webster, the key player in their rise from National League One. Hull's Craig Hall has ended rumours that he was on his way to Rovers by signing a new contract.

Wigan's plans to sign Darren Lockyer as a replacement for Trent Barrett could be complicated by the Australian captain's knee problems. Lockyer had surgery during the close season and is out of the side to face New Zealand on Friday. Wigan have agreed to release Barrett a year early at the end of the season because his wife is homesick.