THE future of Hull KR coach Craig Sandercock looks increasingly uncertain as the club will make a decision on his future by the end of this month.
The Aussie has endured a difficult two-year reign at MS3 Craven Park since being a surprise choice to replace Justin Morgan, with talks over his own future placed on hold whilst the club has sought new investors for 2014.
With progress finally made on that front, Rovers will now turn their focus to resolving the uncertainty over Sandercock's position.
And despite chairman Neil Hudgell yesterday saying a decision would be made over the coming weeks, he was unwilling to commit to Sandercock remaining in place until the end of this campaign.
Writing in yesterday's match-day programme, Hudgell hit out at the club's recent league defeat at Castleford, saying supporters had again been let down.
He also indicated the club was keen to resolve the uncertainty over Sandercock's future in order to plan and recruit new players for 2014.
"We won't be rushed into offering new deals at the moment, as we still have to resolve the situation with Craig and his position," he said.
"I anticipate that the board will move that decision on in the next few weeks too, so that we have clarity and certainty for everyone in good time to plan for next year and beyond."
Given there has been repeated criticism from the boardroom over performances this season, the odds look stacked against the Aussie staying beyond the end of the season.
Rovers are again struggling to secure a top-eight spot in Super League, and yesterday's 46-16 Challenge Cup defeat to Wigan effectively ended the club's hopes of any silverware for the campaign.
Although Sandercock has made the Robins one of the competition's most potent attacking teams, there are long-running concerns in the KR boardroom over the inconsistencies in performances.
When asked about where he saw his future following the defeat by Wigan, Sandercock said: "Of course I'd like to stay.
"The bottom line is that of course I'd love to stay.
"It's a great club and I love it."
As a surprise appointment ahead of the 2012 season, when handed his first head coaching role, he has struggled to live up to high expectations at MS3 Craven Park.
Sandercock had appeared on the brink after a disappointing early-season defeat to Salford, when Rovers threw away a 20-point lead in the dying stages to lose 38-34.
Sources at that time told the Mail discussions took place over his future in the KR boardroom, but a win over Warrington, last season's Grand Finalists, the following week and a derby win over Hull, in a run which saw them win four out of five games, gave him extra time.
Then Rovers' entire future was thrown into uncertainty when Hudgell and vice-chairman Rob Crossland revealed they were not willing to continue funding the club, and covering losses of around £500,000 a year, beyond the end of the season.
It is understood that period of uncertainty put all major decisions regarding the coaching and playing staff on hold, but with new investors now coming forward, and Hudgell and Crossland agreeing to stay on alongside them, the club is keen to push on and prepare for 2014.
Having exited the cup yesterday, Sandercock was left to rue a number of missed opportunities that cost his side a place in this week's quarter-final draw.
Rovers led 4-0 after 35 minutes but let a number of chances slip through their fingers, to the frustration of their coach.
"I was really disappointed that we bombed a couple of certain tries," Sandercock said.
"I thought we deserved to lead by more than four points.
"Against a really good Wigan side you really have to take your chances and we didn't.
"There was one opportunity and break we made that we should have scored from and there's no excuse for that."Have you seen our new sport section?Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk/sport for the very best and exclusive local content.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
