Cougars head coach Paul March admits he is delighted with the club’s close-season signings but says his recruitment may not yet be over.

March hung up his boots after last season’s agonising play-off final defeat to Swinton and is now focused solely on coaching.

The Cougar Park boss has enjoyed a profitable recruitment drive which has harvested the acquisition of several high-profile signings.

Sonny Esslemont and Aaron Ollett have arrived from Hull KR, brothers Darren and Ritchie Hawkyard have been signed from Swinton, and other players with Super League experience such as Charlie Martin and Vinny Finigan have also bolstered the squad.

Yet March, whose side are gearing up for their second season in their third tier, said there was still significant space on the salary cap to make more signings should he require them.

March said: “We’re up to a decent amount of the budget that we set ourselves at the beginning of the year, but we’re still nowhere near the cap.

“There is still scope to add further if needs be, but we will probably only do that if we get injuries in key areas.

“I think we’ve got balanced squad this year with experience and youth, so I’m really happy with the signings we’ve made.”

March gave an injury update on his players currently nursing injuries, adding: “Darren Hawkyard had a shoulder operation and will be out until February at least, so he will miss the Oldham and Halifax friendlies.

“Jode Sheriffe has started running now after his Achilles tear, so hopefully he will feature at some point in the pre-season games.

“Sean Kelly had an operation on October 18 on his knee reconstruction and he will probably be out until April.

“But everything is going well with his rehab and he will be looking to return a bigger and better player.”

Meanwhile, Cougars have been draw to face Wath Brow Hornets away in the First Round of the iPro Sport Cup.

The tie will be played at a venue TBC in Cumbria over the weekend of February 20/21, 2016.

IPRO SPORT CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW:

Barrow Raiders v Rochdale Hornets

Coventry Bears v University of Gloucestershire All Golds

Doncaster RL v North Wales Crusaders

Hunslet Hawks v York City Knights

London Skolars v South Wales Scorpions

Newcastle Thunder v Leigh Miners Rangers

Oxford RL v Hemel Stags

Wath Brow Hornets v Keighley Cougars