HULL KR coach Craig Sandercock is to be offered the chance to stay in charge of the Robins next year following a tough first two seasons at the club.
The Aussie has come under increasing scrutiny in his role in recent weeks, after chairman Neil Hudgell publicly stated a decision on whether to offer him a new deal would be made before the end of the month.
It was a statement which cranked up the pressure on Sandercock, with national media reports even naming Hull-born England boss Steve McNamara as the man in waiting to replace him.
However, Sandercock has received strong support, not only from the terraces, but also in the boardroom at MS3 Craven Park since it was made clear his position was being reviewed.
He has also had a strong response from his team on the field, with one of their best displays of the season bringing a comfortable victory over Wakefield, before losing out to cross-city rivals Hull FC at the Magic Weekend in highly controversial circumstances.
Sandercock has openly spoken of his desire to stay at the club and build on the development of a string of talented young British players, despite having a difficult first two years as a head coach in Super League.
It has seen him have to rebuild a Rovers squad which was dismantled after the years of relying on overseas stars in the Justin Morgan era, with the club choosing not to spend the full salary cap for the first time in Super League.
Sandercock has also been hit with huge injury lists in each season, to the extent that he has not once fielded his strongest first-choice side, something which has also brought support and understanding at the club.
Board member Phil Lowe recently told the Mail he viewed Sandercock as one of the hardest working coaches he had seen, praising his work in developing and blooding youngsters at Super League level.
He said he deserved another year at the club, and pledged to vote in favour of Sandercock when it came to the board making a final decision on his future.
Hitting out at the standard of officiating following Saturday's controversial 22-16 derby loss to Hull, Hudgell admitted in a club statement that Sandercock had recently been 'a coach fighting for a new deal whose livelihood could stand or fall on these decisions'.
Hudgell was not available to follow up on those comments yesterday, but it is thought Rovers have indicated to Sandercock that an offer to extend his deal will be forthcoming.
Hudgell is known to have long admired the former Newcastle Knights assistant's technical abilities as a coach, and despite being disappointed at missing the play-offs last season, and some poor performances this, is sympathetic to the difficulties he has faced.
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