Wakefield turns to Kear

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have turned to former England World Cup boss John Kear to help them preserve their engage Super League status.

The 50-year-old Kear, who has been out of work since parting company with Hull in April, has been appointed as short-term successor to Tony Smith, who left the Wildcats a week ago.

Kear has been put in charge until the end of the season and has six matches to help Wakefield avoid the drop into National League One.

Their 42-20 home defeat by Bradford Bulls on Friday left them bottom of the table, two points adrift of Wigan Warriors, after winning just six of their first 22 games.

Kear?s first match will be against his former club Castleford Tigers at the Jungle on August 5.

Kear, who hopes to appoint an assistant early this week, is relishing the opportunity to return to the game.

"It?s nice to be back involved," he said. "It?s a massive challenge but one I?m looking forward to.

"I am happy to come here and work very hard for two months. I?ve missed the daily slog."

Two of Trinity?s last six matches are derbies with Kear?s old club and the irony is not lost on the Castleford-born former winger.

"It?s a great first match for me personally," he said. "I always look forward to coaching against Castleford.

"There is a certain irony in that the first game of my tenure and the last game of the season are both against Castleford. I do know a fair bit about Castleford because I watch them.

"I have a soft spot for them but you?ve got to put all sentiment aside. I have to do a job which is to keep Wakefield in Super League. I am confident in my own ability and I am willing to back myself."

Source: superleague.co.uk