Bulls coach Matthew Elliott hopes to hear in the next week or so whether his Australian spying mission has been successful.

Elliott, who was taking charge of training again today after arriving back at the weekend, has refused to name potential targets.

But he admitted one possible recruit was with a club currently facing the axe from the National Rugby League competition which fuels speculation of a move for Adelaide Rams back-rower Darrien Doherty.

"I have put a couple of irons in the fire but it has been difficult because I am only interested in quality and there was competition from other sides. I am not in a position to name names because they are currently contracted to other clubs and I would not like to compromise their positions in case what seems inevitable at the moment doesn't happen.

"But I am pretty optimistic that we will have some good news soon."

Meanwhile Elliott is set to welcome his other two Aussies recruits to Odsal this week.

Cronulla back Nick Zisti is due to arrive in the country later today while Balmain centre Michael Withers follows him on Thursday.

"While I was in Australia I met up with both players and trained with them a few times," enthused Elliott. "They are both in great spirits and really looking forward to the challenge. I am sure they will both be great acquisitions."

"Another back-row recruit would give us even more scope and I am happy that things are coming together. With so many new players coming into the squad it will take time for our combinations to come together but I think there is plenty of cause for optimism."

l Super League chairman Chris Caisley has turned down an invitation to attend an international summit in Sydney from December 1-2.

League chairman Sir Rodney Walker, vice-chairman of the newly-formed Rugby League International Federation, will attend and is being joined on the trip by chief executive Neil Tunnicliffe and performance director Joe Lydon.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.