Cooke burnt by transfer saga

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The 26-year-old Cooke appeared to have ended days of intense speculation by handing in his resignation at the KC Stadium and announcing his intention to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract with Rovers - the team he supported as a boy - only for the league to decline the move.

RFL communications manager Craig Spence said: "We have received the paperwork from Hull KR but the RFL are unable to accept the registration as we believe Paul Cooke is a registered, contracted player of Hull FC. We would ask that Paul Cooke and Hull FC sit down to try to resolve this matter."

He added: "If they can't, then Paul Cooke could seek an RFL dispute tribunal hearing. The earliest this could take place is next week."

Cooke had revealedhe never signed the new three-year deal he was offered by Hull last June and, therefore, felt he was free to make the move.

But Hull insisted all along that the player is "legally bound" to them and the RFL refused to accept the new registration after taking their own legal advice.

The latest development will scupper Cooke's hopes of making his debut for Rovers against Huddersfield on Friday night and he could be frozen out of the game for months if lawyers become involved.

A statement from Hull read: "This matter is now in the hands of the club lawyers. Hull FC will be making no further comment on this matter at this stage."

In a statement Cooke said: "For some time I have been unhappy with a number of aspects of my contract with Hull FC and for that reason did not sign it. After almost 10 years at the club, it is disappointing to leave in this way but all I can say is that I have enjoyed playing football for Hull FC and thank its thousands of fans for supporting me through the years.

"I am very happy with the contract arrangements that have been offered to me by Hull Kingston Rovers and now look forward to helping them maintain Super League status."