YORK Wasps coach Leo Epifania has admitted player recruitment had not gone to plan ahead of the Northern Ford Premiership campaign - but said only circumstances were to blame.

The Australian conceded things had not gone as he expected on his arrival in York but stressed everyone at Huntington Stadium was doing their utmost to get the club moving forward.

Wasps have begun the season with two heavy defeats, at home to Whitehaven and away to Barrow, and currently prop up the NFP ahead of tomorrow's visit of Batley Bulldogs, kick-off 2pm.

But Epifania said: "There is a lot going on at the club. We're working our pants off to get the right team on the field and to recruit players.

"We've had so much bad luck regarding players that it's almost unbelievable.

"It's not an easy situation to be in. The club did not want to be in this situation, that was not the plan.

"It was not what I expected either, but things have happened beyond our control."

Wasps had planned to boost the squad with the likes of a French international and a France-based Aussie, but their current clubs won't release them until they are out of the Challenge Cup, while a second Aussie has had trouble getting an international passport.

Three Academy players, a trialist and in total eight of the squad which struggled in the NFP last season were involved against Barrow on Saturday, prompting criticism from fans.

But Epifania said: "I can understand supporters getting upset because of the results but we can't go around blaming people. We just have to sort the problems out.

"Circumstances haven't gone our way, there are things we've got no control over.

"Maybe there are a few lessons for York to learn. Maybe next time we need to look at things differently in recruiting players.

"We are hard at work to fill positions. We are not leaving the team as it is because it is pretty obvious it's not quite up to scratch.

"We are not naming anybody who could come in because that mistake has been made before. We will make announcements once signatures are on paper."

Epifania and Wasps should be boosted tomorrow by the return of Shaun Austerfield and new signing Rob Lee, who both missed the 66-0 defeat at Barrow Raiders, while new signing Ian Kirke will be on the bench.

Skipper Peter Edwards and Andy Precious are also in contention. Precious picked up a leg injury at Barrow and will undergo a late fitness test while Edwards could be included after missing out last week.

"We will be giving them every chance," said Epifania, who despite Wasps' poor start to the season is remaining positive ahead of the visit of the Bulldogs.

"We are definitely looking for a win and a big turnaround in terms of attitude and performance.

"Hopefully, with Peter Edwards and Shaun Austerfield back, and Rob Lee on the bench with Ian Kirke, there are a few new faces there to strengthen the side and we can turn it around.

"They have lost their opening two games as well, but they only just lost them against fair quality sides so we won't be taking them lightly."

Batley will include new signing former Great Britain prop Steve Molloy in their team.

Wasps (probable): Sorbello, Molloy, Mulholland, Austerfield, Hall, Liddell, Cain, Precious, Edwards, Docherty, Deakin, Crake, Ramsden Subs from: Waite, Lee, Kirke, Pincher

Batley Bulldogs (from): Dyson, North, Smith, Maun, Gleadhill, Tomlinson, Lawford, Molloy, Cass, Spink, Rourke, Leek, Cartledge, Naidoble, Cox, Marvin, Horsley, Wright, Harrison.

Updated: 11:43 Saturday, December 15, 2001