With the loss of Utai a serious blow to the club, Crisp was yesterday remaining optimistic through the possibility of tying up at least two more significant signings as early as next week.

One of the club's hopefuls is a rising New Zealand star who Crisp expects could help fill the void left by the absence of Utai.

"We have got one of two more blokes that we should hopefully sign up next week," Crisp said.

"One of them is coming across from New Zealand; he's 19, can play everywhere and weighs in at 100 kilograms.

"He has been playing in the Barter Cup which is probably the country's strongest competition outside the Warriors, reserve grade and under 20's.

"He was going to head up to the Cowboys to play Toyota Cup but after speaking with the same manager who helped bring me to Young his dad has leaned him towards coming down here and playing bush footy."

According to Crisp the potential recruits will be a bonus and are not a necessity to the club's success.

He yesterday admitted he had been shocked by the depth of talent at the Cherrypickers, where the standard of rugby league at the club had "out-weighed his expectations".

"I expected to come down here and have one or two good quality players but I have found nine or 10," he said.

"And the couple I thought would be good quality have definitely got the ability to step up again.

"The club has definitely out-weighed my expectations."

Despite under-going surgery on his ankle Crisp yesterday revealed he would lineup with his team-mates earlier than expected, at the West Wyalong Knockout next Friday and Saturday.

"I will be playing," he said.

"The surgery came along very well, I am ahead of schedule and I have been able to be training with everyone; it is all going very well."

The star fullback yesterday declared the club was in a strong position heading into the West Wyalong Knockout, with hard training expected to pay dividends.

"The way we have been looking at training, I am very confident we will be strong when it comes to playing games," he said.

"The main goal will be to have fun and play well after good pre-season training, but I think a win in the West Wyalong grand final could definitely be the reward.

"I am confident."