Edmondson forced to retire

Castleford's former St Helens forward Mark Edmondson has been forced to retire without playing a game for the club.

Edmondson had hoped to resurrect his career with the promoted Tigers after two injury-hit seasons with Sydney Roosters and Salford.

Castleford announced the 28-year-old's signing on a 12-month contract in October but his failure to pass a stringent club medical has prompted a decision to quit the game.

Tigers football manager Michael Robinson said: "This is a disappointment for the club but a much bigger blow for Mark who is a talented player and ordinarily would have been looking forward to many more years playing the game he loves.

"Mark had hoped to make a fresh start at the Jungle but that isn't to be and we wish him well in whatever the future holds for him.

"From the club's perspective, we were aware that there was an element of risk and whilst it is a disappointment to lose a player who, fully fit, would have done a great job for us, realistically it is better for this to happen now when we can make new plans before the season has started."

Lancaster-born Edmondson spent eight seasons with St Helens and won the Challenge Cup in 2004 before moving to the Roosters two years ago.

A shoulder injury limited him to just two first-grade appearances in Australia and he suffered similar problems after returning to the UK with Salford in 2007, playing just 11 times.

The Tigers are now looking to bring in a replacement for Edmondson before the start of the 2008 Super League season.