Last updated at 12:31, Wednesday, 11 April 2012

Hopes are fading fast that Papua New Guinea playmaker Glen Nami will join Whitehaven.

Barry Richardson

Haven had planned to link him with fellow PNG star Jessie Joe Parker, who made his debut in the Good Friday derby defeat against Workington Town.

But they have been unable to contact the dynamic stand-off, who played for the Kumuls in the 2010 Four Nations and scored a try against New Zealand, leading to fears that he will not make the trip.

And the club are now turning their attention elsewhere, looking at another half-back and a prop to bolster coach Don Gailer’s ranks.

“Glen Nami had been in regular contact with ourselves and Stanley Gene, who organised the signing,” said Haven chief executive Barry Richardson today.

“But for the past three weeks no one has been able to contact him.

“We haven’t closed the door on him, but it’s obviously doubtful that he will come, and we are exploring other avenues.

“It’s important we bring in another half-back, and we’re also trying to bring in a prop forward.”

Haven have all the paperwork in place for Nami and he has only to sign for his visa.

Richardson added: “We have a lot of faith in the players at the club, and they are going to get better.

“In my opinion, they are just lacking an organiser at the moment, and I’m sure if we can get one he will bring more confidence to the side and the players.

“We are good enough to win games in this league and push up towards the top of the table, and we have every confidence that between Don and the players, we’ll get it right.

“We should not underestimate what Don has come in to.

“We have played nine games and he’s a new coach who didn’t know any of the players, so it was always going to take time for things to settle down.

“We are all in this together, and we can move forward and hopefully be successful.”

First published at 11:27, Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk