Kear still looking to strengthen

Kear wants to improve on last season's eighth-placed finish

Wakefield coach John Kear has said he is still on the lookout for a player who can make a difference to his side.

Kear told BBC Radio Leeds he has room for manoeuvre because the Wildcats have not yet reached their salary cap.

"If the directors saw it was the correct signing I'm sure they'd make the funds available," he said.

"If we spotted someone who could make the difference from coming eighth to sixth I'm sure we'd go out there and pursue that individual."

He added: "As regards developing players I don't think we'll be looking for that because we've got young players who we feel have got great potential within our squad.

"If someone came along who was established and we felt could just give us a little bit of an edge and improve us that bit, then I've no doubt we'd go after them."

The Wildcats were one of several clubs who tried to sign Australian international half-back Greg Bird, who instead opted for a move to Bradford Bulls.

"We went after him because he's a world class player, there's no doubt about that," said Kear.

"We're an improving club and he would have improved us, and I'm certain that if he had been within our ranks at Doncaster [when Wakefield lost to Hull in the Challenge Cup semi-final last year] then we'd have been running out at Wembley and not Hull, so it's that type of person you're looking for."