By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 11:47, Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Whitehaven have signed Distington prospect Nicky Cook on a two-year pro deal – with a pledge of more local recruits to come.

Nicky Cook

Cook can play at full-back but is more accustomed to featuring at centre or wing, and ex-Distington boss Gary Hewer, Haven’s player performance manager, is well aware of his potential.

“He’s played for our reserve-grade, and the performance team think he’s got the raw talent and ability,” said Hewer.

“He hasn’t got a lot of errors in his game, and we can work on that. He liked what we had to offer and he will now be developed.

“Nicky can cover full-back, which is obviously a grey area for us at the moment. He played there for the reserve-grade on Saturday and made a massive contribution.

“This signing is another part of our strategy to develop local players, and he won’t be the last one to come in.”

At the weekend, Cook, who also starred for West Cumbria Under-18s last term, covered at the back for first-team ace Derry Eilbeck, who missed out due to illness.

Eilbeck, on the comeback trail after an ankle injury, is recognised as a centre, but coach Ged Stokes is keen to groom him as a stand-in No 1.

John Lebbon made four appearances at full-back after Craig Benson broke his jaw against Toulouse last month, and on-loan Paul Ballard took the jersey for the loss at Sheffield in their last outing.

First published at 11:25, Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk