Last updated at 11:53, Thursday, 20 September 2012

New boss Dave Woods is eyeing two players at a Super League club to help spearhead Whitehaven’s play-off push in the Championship next season.

Dave Woods

The Aussie has wasted no time since he was appointed to the Haven hotseat on Monday and is looking to strengthen the squad significantly for 2013.

“I have spoken to four players already who are keen to come,” he said. “It’s a matter of having a chat with them and finding out what positions we need to cover, to make sure we have a good No 1, seven and nine to build around.

“A couple of them have played at Championship level but have recently played in Championship One. There’s one from overseas with a British passport and a couple from a Super League club we are looking to bring in as well. It’s a bit of a mixture.”

Haven had 29 players on the books at one stage this term, and former boss Don Gailer revealed after his recent departure that squad harmony was hit by having to leave out up to 12 players ahead of a match. And Woods does not want his squad to grow too large.

He said: “It’s a tough situation, especially if you haven’t got a reserve-grade. You don’t want the squad to be too big because then players are not getting a run each week.

“If we are fit and healthy you can rotate the squad a little and give blokes a rest in certain games, especially those carrying a niggling injury or getting a bit older.

“You always get two or three injuries, and 24 or 25 players is probably ideal if possible.”

First published at 11:27, Thursday, 20 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk