By James Collins
Rugby League
SHEFFIELD Eagles is close to a major signing of an international player from the Australian leagues.
The player tops coach Mark Aston's wanted list as he seeks to fill the final places in his squad for 2011. Aston is staying coy about the player's identity but it is believed that he has been tracking a Samoan international.
Doubts over whether the player would qualify to play in the UK have held back a move but the way now seems clear.
"I'm close to doing deals with a number of players who would be a big boost to the squad," said Aston. "One is not British - he has played in Australia and has played international games. The lad I am very close to doing a deal with is someone who I have been after for a couple of years.
"We have kept in touch and we know now that he would be accepted (to play in the British game) and would not count as an overseas player. When you can play like this lad can play he can cover any position.
"His preferred position is not stand-off but he has played in that position and can do."
Aston has a good record of signing overseas players with Papua New Guinea star Menzie Yere and Samoan internationals Tangi Ropati and Misi Taulapapa joining in recent seasons.
He is also working on a possible loan signing from a Super League club to fill the vacant stand-off slot left by Brendon Lindsay.
"There is also a lad with a Super League club who could be loaned out to us for a full season," said Aston.
He added: "There are a couple of players who are very close to agreeing contracts with us and there are one or two others who are interested in coming here.
"Things are in the melting pot but there'll be no panic or rush; we have a very good squad already and we just need to add one or two people in certain positions."
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