Sheffield Eagles working hard to strengthen squad

Director of rugby Mark Aston has long spoken of his desire to bolster his ranks, coming close to landing a loan target from Hull FC only last week.

The Eagles have also taken French brothers Amini Miloudi and Hakim Miloudi on trial, and Aston will asses them over a month long stay.

The pair will not feature this weekend, but Eagles can register them to play this season should they impress sufficiently.

“They have settled in well,” Aston told The Star.

“They have both been in the system at Catalans Dragans, they are both good kids and have been in and around the French junior squads.

“They probably need a little more training and preparation time, but they have been comfortable. They are here for a month so we can have a good look. They certainly need a pre-season, but they have the flair, they just need the preparation time.”

Aston will try and use the loan system to improve his squad in the short-term, and has been given assurances that he can bring players in despite the Eagles’ off the field concerns.

* Aston has echoed the sentiments of the rugby league community following the death of Huddersfield Giants youngster Ronan Costello after an incident in an under 19 fixture against Salford.

Tributes have flooded in for the 17-year-old who died in hospital after sustaining an injury on the field.

“It is a gut wrenching that a young man has been taken away from his family,” Aston said.”It is a sad week for the game and it puts it all in perspective”.

The re will be a minute’s applause around the grounds at all games this week.