Chris Sandow informs Warrington Wolves he will not return for 2017

Chris Sandow in action for the Wolves

Warrington Wolves have announced scrum-half Chris Sandow will not be returning for the 2017 season, in what the club are calling “a clear breach of contract”.

The 27-year-old Australian informed the club of his decision via his agent.

Sandow, who is contracted to Warrington through the end of the 2017 season, was due to report for pre-season training on November 21 but is believed to have remained in Australia.

A statement from Warrington, read: ""The club have recently been informed that Chris Sandow has decided not to return to Warrington Wolves for the 2017 season. The club have been notified of Chris's decision by his agent."

Karl Fitzpatrick, Head of Rugby Operations, said: "Chris is contracted until the end of 2017 and should have reported for pre-season training today (21 November).

"This is a clear breach of contract. We will be retaining his registration until further notice.

"We the club are disappointed that Chris has decided not to return, we are already underway in monitoring a potential replacement both internally and externally."

Sandow, who spent four years with South Sydney from 2008-11 before moving to Parramatta, resurrected his career with Warrington in 2016 after falling out of favour with the Eels halfway through the 2015 season.

He joined the Super League club for the last two months of the season and spoke of re-discovering his love for the game as he looked ahead to 2016.

Sandow made a tremendous start to the season, winning the player of the month award for both February and March, before sustaining a torn hamstring which kept him out for two months. He also injured a knee in Warrington's 12-10 defeat by Hull at Wembley in August but returned for the Grand Final, which the Wolves lost to Wigan.

Warrington handed Sandow the No 7 jersey when they announced their squad numbers last Wednesday.

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