By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 12:09, Friday, 30 July 2010

Hard-hitting centre Jason Mossop has re-joined Workington Town from Championship outfit Sheffield.

Jason Mossop

The shock switch has handed Town’s play-off hopes a major boost, and the 24-year-old will shoot straight in to contention for Sunday’s visit of Rochdale Hornets.

“We’ve signed a very good rugby league player,” said Town boss Gary Charlton.

“Jason will soon catch on to the way we play and he’s up for selection this weekend.

“He knows all the lads up here and is a quick learner. Sheffield coach Mark Aston has been very good about it.”

The ex-Hensingham junior moved from Town to the Eagles for this season after starting a university course in the city.

But his studies have now ended and he was keen to return home to Cumbria.

Town chairman Dave Bowden said: “Jason left us on the best of terms as we understood he wanted to further his studies in Sheffield.

“We always knew he could further his game at Sheffield, a well-run club. He will come back to us a better player, so we are delighted. He’ll give us a real boost, especially in the run-in to the play-offs.”

Mossop played nine times for Sheffield, scoring three tries and providing vital cover along the back-line.

Aston said: “Jason’s been good for us and has challenged for the centre spots with Tangi Ropati and Menzie Yere and he had a good spell in the team.

“His university course has ended and he can’t afford to stay in Yorkshire. Jason decided he needs to move on and we won’t stand in his way and I hope all goes well because he did a good job for us.”

Mossop was a first-choice centre for Town last term, when he was national student player-of-the-year.

He enjoyed successful trips to Serbia and France with Great Britain Students, and helped Wales land the Home Nations title, while also starring for Leeds Met, who dominated the university scene.

First published at 11:27, Friday, 30 July 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk