GARY MOORBY has launched a search for new talent - and old heads - to boost his Cougar squad for the second half of the NFP league season.

The Cougar coach is determined to bring in extra players to increase competition for places, and to add experience to the mix of youthful talent that has given him a roller-coaster ride in the early weeks of his professional coaching career.

After the opening period of the season the team has yet to win an away game -- but has only been beaten once at home in the league.

But the run of hit-and-miss performances has convinced Moorby that he needs a couple of experienced players to steady the nerve of his young performers, and bring out the best.

"I have seen it happen at even the best clubs when I was playing. One or two really top class performers could get everyone else to raise their level of play and ordinary teams were suddenly transformed into world beaters.

"There is a lot of talent among our players, but I think it still needs something else to really let it shine.

"The amateur season is coming to a close and we are putting fealers out among the Conference clubs to see if anyone wants to come and train alongside our lads and take their chance at getting a game.

"But I am also on the look out for players with experience that would help settle the team and make sure we don't collapse in the way we have in a number of games so far."

One of the big stumbling blocks is the level of payment still being demanded by players outside Super League. The Cougar staff were quick to approach quality players after the collapse of the Yorks club, but were horrified at the level of pay demands.

"We are just not in a position to even start negotiations at the level they want. As a club we are determined to remain on a sound financial footing, although it does present difficulties when trying to build a team," Moorby said.

Desite his team's 44-12 defeat by Hull KR in the first round of the Buddies National League Cup the coach had praise for the commitment shown by his team.

"We were beaten by a better side, but all I can do is ask for 100 per cent effort from the team -- unfortunately effort is not always enough.

"The game was very close for most of the first half, but we made one or two silly mistakes which allowed Hull KR to score but at least there were some postive aspects we could take from the game. I felt there was nothing positive at all from the previous week's game at Swinton," Gary said.

This weekend they face Doncaster at Cougar Park in their second game in the cup competition, with former Keighley star Jason Lee on song for the Dragons.

Although on-loan duo Tommy Gallagher and Craig Stanley have returned to Leeds there was good news for Moorby with Craig Horne coming through last week's game without further injury and Karl Smith also showed up well on his return to action.

Captain Danny Fearon will also be back in action after missing the HullKR game because of commitments to a training course.

"One or two potential players will be at the ground on Sunday and hopefully they will like what they see and will join the squad," Moorby said.