ANDREW Johns' manager has quashed speculation that the legendary half back may rejoin Wolves next year but has revealed there is a chance he could return one day.

Rumours had surfaced that Johns, who enjoyed an unforgettable three-match spell with Wolves at the end of last season, may seek an early release from his Newcastle Knights contract, which runs until the end of 2008, to move to England.

His manager, John Fordham, has dismissed that idea but did admit Joey may be tempted to come back to Warrington at some point.

"Andrew Johns is contracted to the Newcastle Knights until the end of the 2008 season," Fordham told the Warrington Guardian.

"He has an option in his contract to opt out of the 2008 season. That will be largely determined by how his body is holding up 12 months from now.

"Andrew has no plans whatsoever to seek an early release from his Knights contract.

"He really enjoyed his stay at Warrington and if his body holds up there may be a chance (of a return), but that's a long time off.

"Keep in mind that if Andrew, who recently turned 32, plays through to the end of 2008 he will be 34 years and seven months."

Talk of Johns' potential return coincided with the absence from the first team of Michael Sullivan, who joined Wolves on a two-year deal at the start of the season.

Sullivan has played for the under 21s in their last two games and Paul Cullen admitted last week that he was behind Lee Briers, Simon Grix and Chris Bridge in the pecking order to play at half back, as well as being third-choice hooker behind Jon Clarke and Mark Gleeson.

But the Australian is expected to play in the Super League game at Wigan tomorrow, Friday, as a substitute hooker in place of Mark Gleeson, who is out for four to six weeks with a broken hand sustained in Sunday's home defeat to Wakefield.

And Cullen responded to speculation that Sullivan could be released at the end of the year by saying: "Michael has a contract for next year and I've not discussed his future with anyone."

Danny Lima looks to have played his last game for Wolves after agreeing to join Salford on loan for the rest of the season.

Cullen informed the 30-year-old last week that he would not be offered a new contract, making room for the arrival of Adrian Morley.