Agar delighted to welcome Bobbie Goulding Jr to Wakefield Wildcats

Wildcats head coach Richard Agar has been tracking the 19-year-old, who is the son of former Wakefield and Great Britain international Bobbie Goulding, for a number of weeks and has finally got his man.

Goulding, who has progressed through the Warrington Wolves youth set-up, had been mulling over other options in both codes but has opted for a move to the Merrie City.

The England youth international trained with his new team-mates for the first time this week but his contract still needs to be rubber-stamped.

“We’re pleased that Bob has signed for us because he had offers from both league and union clubs,” said Agar.

“He’s a player that at the age of 16 or 17 we probably wouldn’t have been able to get because he was rated so highly but at Warrington he’s had his path blocked a bit.

“He’s made a big commitment in moving over here as a 19-year-old and the attitude he’s shown in training has been terrific.

“Good young half-backs are at a premium and he comes here with a cultured left foot, the ability to play scrum-half or stand-off, and with a real chance of making a positive impression on the first team next season.”

Agar is still waiting on last season’s star man Tim Smith to return to training as the club look for a quick resolution to a renewal of the Australian’s visa.

“We’ll get Tim on the plane back over here as soon as we can,” commented Agar.

“We’ve taken the opportunity to renew his visa in line with his recent new contract and it should just be a matter of days now, he should be back over next week.”

Close season signing Justin Poore is not expected to arrive at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium until early December.

But Wakefield have received a boost with the news that Matty Wildie, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, should return to action two weeks ahead of schedule.

“Matty had surgery on his shoulder and got some good news,” said Agar.

“He’s ahead of schedule, it all went well, and he should be back in full training in the next couple of weeks.”

Agar is still looking to boost his forward options but says he is no closer to his next new addition.

See this week’s Wakefield Express for all the latest Wakefield Wildcats news.