Warriors managing director Jim Doyle said Tomkins cited homesickness as an ongoing factor. "He came here excited about testing himself in the NRL and also experiencing living in a new country but, in the end, Sam has found it too much of a challenge being away from home," Doyle said. Heading home: The Warriors have released English fullback Sam Tomkins. Credit:Getty Images "While we have talked with him and tried to work through it he has now come back to us to ask for a release at the end of the season. "It's disappointing that it has come to this but reluctantly we have accepted there is no option but to allow Sam to return to England. For now, though, he is determined to finish his time with the Vodafone Warriors in the best way he can. He's working to recover from his knee injury as soon as possible so he can regain his spot in the team." Tomkins thanked the Warriors for their compassionate approach.

"I never imagined it would reach this point," he said. "This is a great club and I can't say enough about the coaching staff. I love being with the lads and it's a brilliant country to live in but I can only be honest and say I miss home in ways I never thought I would. I'm truly grateful to the Vodafone Warriors for agreeing to give me an early release and I am so determined to repay them for their consideration. All I want now is to get back out on the field to help us have a great season." Warriors coach Andrew McFadden said the issue had been affecting Tomkins. "This has been hanging over Sam at different times and there's no doubt it has affected him," he said. "Now the way has been cleared and I'm sure he'll excel once again when he comes back from this injury. We've seen the quality he provides when he's in the side. He makes a huge difference to the way we play and I know how determined he'll be to contribute over the rest of the season. "[Roger] is a wonderful talent and a fantastic signing. He's still only 21 and has already made a real mark in the NRL and also for the Kiwis. To be able to bring a New Zealander back to our club from Australia is massive for us. While we're naturally thrilled and Roger is just as excited about coming home, we both have the same focus for the rest of the year. He's solely interested in doing all he can for the Roosters just as we know Sam wants to do the same for us." It comes as a cruel blow to the Roosters who have groomed Tuivasa-Sheck to be the club's long-term fullback following the retirement of Anthony Minichiello at the end of last year. The injured Blake Ferguson shapes as a potential No.1 for the Roosters beyond this year.

The Warriors have struggled to attract big-name players to the club after missing out on luring the likes of Kieran Foran, Trent Merrin and Jason Taumalolo to the club for next season. Tuivasa-Sheck has been in scintillating form for the Roosters this year. He became just the 13th player in the NRL to run for more than 300 metres in a game during the Roosters' last-start loss to the Sharks. The fleet-footed 21-year-old finished with 300 metres from his 28 runs, which included two line breaks, six tackle breaks and a long-range try. His younger brother Johnny - who is also an outside back - is part of the Roosters' under-20s team and played in the club's premiership-winning under-18 SG Ball side last year.

The Roosters will now turn their attention to signing Ferguson on a long-term contract while they also have representative outside backs Daniel Tupou and Shaun Kenny-Dowall off-contract at the end of this season. The Roosters have secured forwards Dylan Napa and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to long-term contracts. Five-eighth James Maloney is also off-contract at season's end. Tuivasa-Sheck has played seven Tests for the Kiwis since making his NRL debut in 2012. He has scored 18 tries from 62 games and was part of the club's 2013 grand final win against Manly in his first full season in the top grade. When the story broke ...