Will Cooke returns to Hunslet after spell at Keighley Cougars

The 23-year-old centre or winger joined the Parksiders from Oxford ahead of the 2018 season and scored four tries in nine appearances.

“A reason for me leaving Hunslet was that I was struggling for opportunities,” Cooke recalled.

“Head coach Gary Thornton was straight about it and told me that I’d be better, at that stage, developing my career elsewhere.

“But travel to Keighley for training and matches from my home in Castleford isn’t all that straightforward.

“My partner Nicola gave birth to our daughter Myla Grace earlier this year and I realised I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time with my family as I’d like.

“I’d kept in touch with Hunslet’s captain Duane Straugheir and gave him a call.

“Straff said he thought Hunslet would probably be interested and got me to contact Gary. We had a meeting, GT’s happy to have me back and I’m equally happy to return. I’m now looking forward to working hard to secure my place.”

Thornton believes Cooke can establish himself in Hunslet’s 17 this time around.

“Will returns to the club with more experience under his belt after having had two decent seasons at Keighley,” he said.

“He is another player who has a terrific attitude and who is highly committed to improving his game, and I’m really pleased he is returning.”

Thornton added: “Last time he was at the club he was still a young man and had competition in front of him from more experienced centres.

“As a result he didn’t really establish himself in the team, although whenever he did play at either wing, centre or even a spell at loose-forward, he never let us down, so it’s a welcome return for him. He is very mature for such a young man, and is desperate to impose himself on the team and show people how good he can be.”