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Page last updated at 22:58 GMT, Friday, 1 August 2008 23:58 UK

Cooke must change ways - Morgan

Paul Cooke lines up a kick
Cooke joined the Robins from local rivals Hull FC last season

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan says stand-off Paul Cooke still has a future at the club - but only if he makes significant changes to his lifestyle.

The 27-year-old has been omitted from the Robins' last two matches for disciplinary reasons and Morgan warned he could waste his undoubted talent.

"He's not in a good enough state to take his place in the team," he said.

"He can make some decisions about his lifestyle and some of his off-field things to sort them out."

Cooke, who watched from the stands as his team-mates beat Catalans Dragons on Friday, still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract after controversially joining the club he supported as a boy from local rivals Hull FC last season.

He served a six-game ban at the beginning of the season after being found guilty of approaching the Red and Whites while still under contract at the KC Stadium.

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The former England international was recently banned from driving for 16 months after being found over the legal limit for alcohol.

"He's had two weeks to sort it out and he hasn't sorted it out yet," said Morgan.

"If he does, there could be a future, if he doesn't he'll stay exactly where he is now.

"As a professional footballer you have obligations to your team-mates. First and foremost he needs to recognise those, then he needs to sort them out.

"If he does, there could be a future, if he doesn't he'll stay exactly where he is now for the next two and a half years, on the sidelines and he won't play."

Cooke has also been convicted of dangerous driving and was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service following a city centre brawl.



see also
Cooke future at Hull KR in doubt
21 Jul 08 |  Hull KR
Drink-drive rugby star punished
05 Jun 08 |  Humber
Hull KR coach angry with pundits
14 Apr 08 |  Hull KR
Hull KR opt against Cooke appeal
18 Dec 07 |  Hull KR
Cooke turns down chance to gloat
05 May 07 |  Hull KR
Cooke stands by Hull KR decision
30 Apr 07 |  Hull KR


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