Cougars are looking Down Under in a bid to further strengthen their squad ahead of the new Co-operative Championship campaign.

Head coach Barry Eaton returned from holiday this week and has already made significant headway in the continued search for reinforcements.

The club are currently in talks with an Australian player of British ancestry, who is keen to play and work in England.

Cougars would not face any visa problems due to the player’s British links and Eaton is excited about the possibility.

“We’re currently in talks about bringing him over,” said Eaton.

“He’s a quality player, proved by the fact he has played in the Queensland Cup over in Australia.”

There are also a number of other irons in the fire, while the club are also keen to wrap up a new deal for Dan Potter.

But one of the club’s most significant signings of the winter may be an off-field one.

Eaton has brought Paul Royston back to the club as strength and conditioning coach to ensure his players are in peak condition for the step up to Championship rugby.

Owner of Workouts gym in Keighley, Royston has previously held the same role at Halifax, as well as working extensively with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats pair Richard Moore and Oliver Wilkes.

Fitness is Eaton’s primary concern ahead of the new season and believes Royston’s appointment was crucial.

“We are positive about the new campaign,” said the Cougars chief.

“I’ve had a chat with the players and one thing I made clear to them is that we need to have a really good off-season so we are physically ready to make the step up.

“I know my players can match the players in this division in terms of skill levels but the athletic ability will be higher than we are used to.”

The Cougars squad return for pre-season training on Tuesday, and their first game comes on December 27 at Hunslet.

“The players have all been following their own individual programmes but we’ll put them through a series of tests when they get back,” added Eaton.

“The immediate focus will be fitness and strength but as Christmas approaches we’ll start doing some field-based fitness sessions as well, introducing ball work.

“We’ve got a game on December 27 so it’s just about getting the players physically ready.”