Busy Cougars boss Barry Eaton is playing the waiting game after making bids for FIVE new players.

They are in the market for highly-rated second-row Neil Lowe, former Cougar Toby Williams, Halifax prop Andy Shickell, Leigh centre Adam Hughes and Halifax winger Damien Munro.

Eaton is desperate to strengthen his squad and a limited amount of cash is available to entice his targets.

However, there is stiff competition as fellow National League Two outfit Oldham are competing with them for both Lowe and Hughes.

Former Featherstone Rovers ace Lowe - a free agent after Doncaster Lakers' financial problems - would be a fine acquisition, while Hughes has bags of experience having featured with Leeds, Wakefield and Widnes in Super League.

Eaton said: "We're waiting for a call from Neil. He'd be a stand-out player in this division as he is a top-end National League One performer.

"He's also played in Super League with Salford and he'd be ideal. If he does come though it'll be on our terms and we're not going to pay over the odds.

"It's probably between us and Oldham at the moment - and our good friends there are also in for Hughes.

"I spoke to him out of the blue on Friday and again this morning. We played together at Widnes and he's interested in coming after Darren Shaw said he can leave Leigh on loan.

"But the expense might be just too costly with him being full-time. We'll see what happens."

The Cougars had a firm bid for Shickell, who attracted Wigan's interest last year, turned down by Halifax.

"Martin Hall says that Andy still figures in his plans, though if that changes we would definitely be keen," explained Eaton.

"I've spoken to Damien Munro there as well though. We're interested in him, he's been told and we're all right to speak with him, so something might happen.

"There's a lot of ifs and buts at the moment but hopefully we'll have something tied up soon."

York are currently mulling over an offer for talented young prop Williams.

He left Cougar Park for nothing when his contract expired at the end of last season but Keighley are now willing to pay a small fee to bring him back.

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