Whitehaven are still hoping to bring in two more French players to boost their depleted squad.

The Recreation Ground club should have had two forwards in the squad for this weekend’s game with London Broncos.

But Catalans have run into injury problems, and the players who are with the Dragons’ feeder club in the French Elite Championship, may be required by the Super League outfit.

A prop and a back-row forward were all set to join Whitehaven this week until the injury situation worsened at Catalans.

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd said: “We had gone through Louis Jouffret’s father, who is the Catalans chief executive, and were looking forward to seeing the two French players this week.

“I can’t remember a time when so many Super League clubs are having problems with injuries, which means they haven’t players to send out on loan.

“The situation may change and we still hope to take a couple of French lads to boost our squad.”

It was this time last year, just ahead of the Blackpool Summer Bash, that Whitehaven were loaned Jouffret and winger Jordan Sigismeau by the Dragons feeder club Union Treizist Catalane in time for the Blackpool bonanza when they made their debuts against Workington Town.

First on the agenda, though, for Haven is Sunday’s game at London Broncos which represents a major challenge, especially given the injuries James Coyle’s side has suffered.

There’s also a major confidence block to get through after two successive home defeats, including the recent turgid 36-16 reversal by Dewsbury Rams.