No appeal against Cooke ban

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Cooke must miss the first six weeks of the 2008 season after being found guilty of making an illegal approach to Rovers while still a Hull player.

The 26-year-old had two weeks to appeal from the date he received written notification of the Rugby Football League's November ruling, but the club have decided not to make a challenge.

A statement from Rovers read: "We can confirm there will be no appeal by Paul Cooke against the RFL ruling.

"Paul and the club are tired of the distractions caused by endless rumour and speculation in this story. We detect that that is also very much the mood among our supporters.

"With that in mind we are not going to elaborate on the reasons for not appealing nor commenting on this issue any further other than to reiterate that if and when Hull FC decide to issue civil proceedings against Paul and/or the club, we will respond at that time."

Cooke was Hull's star playmaker until dramatically quitting the KC Stadium outfit for his boyhood side in April.

Cooke claimed he was a free agent because he had never signed his Hull contract and he went on to make 14 appearances for Rovers last season.

The RFL cleared Rovers of any wrongdoing in the matter.

Interestingly, Cooke's ban is due to end four days before the Hull sides clash in their first derby of the season on March 21.