JOHN Kear is maintaining his interest in Warrington Wolves' international centre Jon Roper.

The coach of the newly-named merged outfit Huddersfield and Sheffield Giants has been in touch with Wilderspool chiefs again this week with regards to signing the 23-year-old Cumbrian.

A swap deal is being considered but cash could come into the equation for Roper, who is at the end of his Wilderspool contract and who would command a transfer fee under the Bosman Ruling.

Castleford Tigers had shown some interest in Roper after losing centre Francis Maloney to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats but Cas pulled out of the running on Wednesday when they announced their signing of their former player Barrie-Jon Mather.

Of course, Roper, who is hoping to be fit to play for Kear's England against France tomorrow, Saturday, has been made an offer to stay with Warrington.

Wolves' chief executive Peter Deakin says: "Still on the table are Wolves contract offers for Jon Roper and for Mark Forster too.

"These haven't been taken up and we presume the players are still looking around.

"We're trying to assemble a squad that is capable of doing something next year and if they haven't signed and the right players come along, then the same applies to them as with Mike Wainwright."

Loose forward Wainwright had his contract offer withdrawn after the Wolves completed the signing of New Zealander Tawera Nikau on a two-year deal.

The Wolves' season will begin on the weekend of February 12/13 with their entry into the 2000 Silk Cut Challenge Cup at the fourth round stage.

Prior to that the Wolves are looking to stage a trial game against strong opposition and talks are taking place with Grand Final runners-up Bradford Bulls.

If the two sides do meet, it is likely to be at Odsal Stadium a week or a fortnight before their starts in the Challenge Cup.

The Wolves have decided against looking to play a Christmas cracker. Wigan will be playing St. Helens and also Bradford will be playing Leeds on Boxing Day this year but the Wolves feel the timing is inappropiate.

Deakin said: "We did consider it but we felt it cuts right through the pre-season training schedule.

"We felt that rather than risk injuries, our players would work through a proper schedule of pre-season training and be already to play in a friendly shortly before the Challenge Cup starts instead."

In terms of Super League, no start of season date has yet been announced.

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