COUGAR coach Lee Crooks is searching for a couple of heavyweight 'Crooks clones' to add a power-packed punch to his side.

A week after taking over at Cougar Park Crooks is planning to bring two new players into the side and is looking for big men - who can follow in his own footsteps.

Crooks' own 15 career gained him a reputation as one of the true hard men of the game, but with the pace and skill to lift him above most forwards.

Now his shopping expedition will take him straight to the 'big men' counter.

"Most of the teams in this division are bigger than Keighley, but that is something we are going to try to put right in the next two or three weeks.

"I've already got certain irons in the fire and hopefully we will have a couple of new players to strengthen the squad soon. We need experience and we need size," he said.

Crooks was refused to name the men he is chasing but he is looking for established players to join the Cougar Park outfit.

He has already been given the go ahead to talk to players by members of the Board of Directors, and yesterday (Thursday) was due to have talks with club investor Hami Patel to talk about future investment plans.

"The players that are already here will still have the same chance to get into the team, but we need competition for places. Then they will be picked on merit and not just because they are the only ones available to play," Lee said.

After warning the players they would have to get used to Super League standards of training and fitness, the coach issued a another stark warning this week.

He declared: "I won't tolerate anybody who tries to take me or the club for a ride. Things have happened this week that I am not very happy with, but the details will stay in-house and I will deal with them in-house.

"If anyone wants to see how far they can push me that is up to them - but they will come off second best."

Despite the threat he was generally happy with his team's performance against Leigh, but reminded the players they still had a long way to go.

"After all they have only beaten the bottom club and we have a lot of work to do to get their fitness up to the levels we need. As they become tired concentration goes and that is when they start making mistakes.

"If we are perfectly honest a better side would have really punished some of Sunday's mistakes."

This weekend's game at Whitehaven will prove a major test for the team.

"Cumbrian sides are always difficult to beat up there, Whitehaven are a big team and very aggressive, but I've every confidence in the ability of our own players. If we play to our strengths and don't get carried away we can win," he said.

l Simon Irving and Aussie Brock McDonald are expected to be back in the team for Sunday's game with Fred Sapatu starting from the bench.

l The club is also searching for more stewards, full training will be given.

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