'Discussions have gone well': Castleford Tigers set to recruit from Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR

Last confirmed Tigers have made offers to 26-year-old Wakefield Trinity forward Jordan Crowther and centre/winger Sam Wood, 25, who is at Hull KR.

Both are out of contract in November and Last said: “They are two players we like and the actual discussions have gone well. Hopefully we will be getting some confirmation in the coming weeks and months.”

Last added: “Those two guys are good players and we think they could help us. Their best years are in front of them.

“They still haven’t fulfilled their potential, but they are very ambitious and have a desire to improve and get better. Those are the things that appeal to us as a club.”

Meanwhile, Last admitted it has been a struggle putting a squad together for Sunday’s Betfred Challenge Cup tie at home to Hull FC.

“We’ve had a bit of illness in the camp,” the coach - who will name his initial 21 on Friday - reported.

“On Tuesday we had to cancel the afternoon session because we didn’t want players in close proximity in the gym, wrestle area and the video room.

“We just did a field session and asked them to go away and do a bit of work on their own with regard their weights and gym program.

“It is lingering a bit longer than we’d like it to, but we are doing everything we can to try and contain it.”

Last stressed: “It has been a bit of a challenge, but that’s rugby league. We are doing it a bit tough at the moment, but we’ll crack on and the 17 blokes who enter the field on Sunday, I am sure will give a good account of themselves.”