Castleford assistant coach Ryan Sheridan has admitted he hopes Zak Hardaker can return to his very best form upon completion of his drugs ban – but admits it will not be with the Tigers.
Sheridan says the club have ‘moved on’ from the situation surrounding Hardaker, whose contract was terminated earlier this year after he failed a drugs test last September.
But Sheridan believes he can recapture his best form. “Obviously he’s a world-class player,” he said.
“I’m sure he’s made a massive mistake but without a doubt, I’m sure he can reach the heights he has done over the years he’s been playing.
“That’s obviously with another club. But we’ve moved on from that and wish him all the best, and hope he stays on the straight and narrow so he can finish his career off well – wherever that may be.”
Sheridan also hopes that Hardaker – whose latest misdemeanour earned him a 14-month ban from the game – will have finally learned his lessons from so long out of the game.
He said: “You’d hope so and you’d like to think so. If not, you’re pretty foolish if you don’t learn from your mistakes given the second, third chances that you’re getting.
“We just wish him all the best whatever he does, and we hope he keeps himself on the straight and narrow – as he is a quality player.”
