CHAIRMAN Jack Robinson says Wigan have targeted three key areas of the team that need strengthening.

The Central Park boss countered recent unrest after the sale of a couple of star players by saying the moves were in the best interest of the club which itself is now in a position to move into the transfer market.

Robinson said: "Martin Hall joins the ARL at the end of the season, while Kelvin Skerrett will be released from his contract. Obviously that leaves us needing a new hooker and prop, while we also need cover for the back row.

"Otherwise look at the players we have from one to13 and they are as good as any in the league. We know what we need, but we are in the process of rebuilding and we have got to give the young lads a chance. There is no point in signing the best young talent and not using it. Only if they are too young will we make a signing." Robinson added that the dispute with the ARL had cost the club dearly in contract payments to keep the top stars at Central Park.

"We had to pay one-off loyalty payments otherwise the club would have been decimated," he said. "Add to that the reduction of the number of games in the season and the drop in attendances of about 4,000 and you are talking about a loss of revenue of £500,000. There is also the wage cap that we have to meet and I am confident that the moves we have made will put us in a much better situation next season." To underline their commitment to strengthening the side the Riversiders have confirmed an interest in Auckland Warriors forward Hitro Okesene after teammate Bryan Henare, also a target, signed a new deal.

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