Leeds Carnegie in talks to fill their hooking role

Parkes retired from rugby in 2007 after playing 39 times for Leeds

Leeds Carnegie are in talks with several players to help fill their hooking role, director of rugby Andy Key has revealed.

They were forced to start their conditioning coach James Parkes, 29, in Sunday's LV= Cup defeat by Sale due to a shortage of hookers.

Key told BBC Radio Leeds: "We are talking to two or three agents and we have a few hookers in mind.

"However these processes don't happen overnight, so we'll see what happens."

Parkes made his 40th appearance for Leeds in Sunday's match - more than two years after his retirement from the game.

With Andy Titterell out for five to nine months and Steve Thompson on England duty, Leeds only have Phil Nilsen as their senior hooker.

Key added: "We didn't take the decision to play James lightly, and neither did he. We spoke about it in great depth throughout the week.

"He's gone out there and demonstrated that heart on the sleeve mentality you needed. I thought he did very, very well and he didn't let himself down.

"If he is the right way to go forward next week [at Exeter] we'll have to talk about it at the start of this week and see what happens."

Parkes lasted 40 minutes, before being replaced by Nilsen at Headingley in the 23-17 defeat by The Sharks.

I was asked to do a job and I attempted it, but didn't do as good a job as I would have liked

James Parkes

The former Gloucester player said: "It's been well over two years since I played at this level but when I was asked about it, I was more than happy to help out.

"Obviously I'd have preferred if I'd done a better job than I did today. However, if another opportunity comes up to help the team I'll be happy to help out again.

"I'm pretty disappointed with myself today but I can't do anything about this one, so on to the next one now.

"I was asked to do a job and I attempted it, but didn't do as good a job as I would have liked.

"If needed next week I'll have had a bit more practice than I had this week, so that's a positive."