Hull Kingston Rovers fullback Ben Cockayne pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to assault causing actual bodily harm to Kiel Thompson on Saturday, November 10 in Market Street.

Castleford Tigers reserve team player Steven Hayward, 19, of George Street, Altofts, admitted the same charge.

Hayward and Cockayne, 24, of Shaw Close, Normanton, were both bailed and will be sentenced at a later date.

Both men pleaded not guilty to an affray alleged to have happened on the same day. Those pleas were accepted by the prosecution.

Cockayne, who is nicknamed Charlie by his team-mates, began his rugby career with amateur team Normanton Knights.

After trials with Super League clubs including Wakefield he was signed up by National League One side Doncaster before signing for Hull KR. He helped them win promotion to Super League for the 2007 season.

In 2006 Wildcats boss John Kear, who was the Hull FC coach, tipped Cockayne for stardom in a national newspaper. Mr Kear wrote at that time: "The young full-back Ben Cockayne has made the biggest impression on me"