THE picture of Warrington Wolves' squad for 1999 has become a little clearer this week.

Contract talks have been taking place with current players throughout the week following the close of the 1998 campaign with the defeat to Wigan on Sunday.

Players in discussions for new deals with the club are winger Mark Forster, Australian centres Mike Eagar and Mike Pechey, part-timer Chris Rudd, prop forward Gary Chambers, loose forward Mike Wainwright and fringe player Danny Whittle.

Definitely on board for next year having signed deals are back rower Steve McCurrie, full back Lee Penny, prop Danny Nutley and new boy Scott Wilson.

Players already under contract are hooker and skipper Danny Farrar, centre Jon Roper, scrum halfs Lee Briers and John Duffy, centre Toa Kohe-Love, props Mark Hilton, Chris Causey, Warren Stevens, winger Jason Roach, second rower Ian Knott, hooker David Highton and full back Will Cowell.

Second rower Chris Morley is also under contract but has been suspended by the club after a disciplinary measure. He could be facing transfer listing. Brendon Tuuta has retired.

Coach Darryl Van de Velde returns home to Australia this weekend to 'recharge his battery' and to meet up with some potential overseas signings. He is known to be looking for a prop, back rower and winger.

Warrington are allowed five overseas players next season. Farrar, Nutley and Wilson are three counters.

Further recruitment of imports depends on the outcome of talks with Eagar, who has just completed his first year with the Wolves, and also attempts to have Kohe-Love taken off the overseas register.

The Rugby Football League have told Warrington the centre from New Zealand counts on the register.

Van de Velde says: "I have someone looking into this for me. Toa has an English mother and he wants to play for Great Britain. I don't think he should be on the quota."

Van de Velde is building his squad even though he is still waiting for the completion of the Wolves takeover by a consortium of businessmen before signing up for a third season in charge.

And for recruiting new players, the sooner the consortium takeover at Wilderspool is complete the better.

Moves for the new faces to invest in the Wilderspool club are dragging on and until it is confirmed it leaves an air of uncertainty with regards to Van de Velde and this must have an affect on attracting players to the club.

No official reasons have been given for the delay in announcing the takeover deal, which was due to be before the end of September. The takeover, being facilitated by club sponsors Greenalls, is understood to involve three businesses inputting cash.

Warrington pack star McCurrie has been told he has no case to answer with regards to being placed on report against Wigan.

Warrington Wolves will have a new home strip for 1999 but will be keeping their black and silver away kit.

The 1998 primrose and blue jersey has been reduced from £41.99 to £29.99 at the Wolves' Cockhedge Centre theme shop. But in a one-day special tomorrow, Saturday, the home and away jerseys will be available at £24.99 each if you buy one of each.

Warrington Wolves supporters' club stage their end of year presentation night tonight, Friday.

The supporters' choice of player of the year will be announced along with other award winners. It takes place at the Touchdown Club, Wilderspool at 7.30pm and the price will be £2 (£1 for members).

There is another game to come for the Wolves this year. The first of two Testimonial games for Gary Chambers and Chris Rudd will take place at Wilderspool on November 1. A number of guest players have been invited to take part. Former fans' favourite Richard Henare has promised to appear.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.