Swinton Lions have signed utility back Ryan Gray from Leigh East and experienced prop forward Paul Wood.

Wood recently came out of retirement for Whitehaven but didn’t play a game after the takeover of the club failed to occur.

He has now moved up a division to help Swinton in their battle against relegation.

Talking about his move, Wood said: “After the Whitehaven deal fell through due to the take over not happening I felt gutted, I’d prepared myself to play and be part of a team again,”

“Since it became public knowledge the deal wasn’t happening I was contacted by a few clubs to see if I would be interested to help them out at the back end of the season.

“I spoke to Stuart Littler at the Legends game between Yorkshire and Lancashire which Stuart and I both played in and after the match he said if I was interested there may be a position open at Swinton Lions.”

“After a few conversations I decided to join the Lions.”

Lions chairman Andy Mazey has great ties with the amateur Leigh club and after a short spell training at Swinton, Gray has done enough to win himself a professional contract.

Discussing the signing of Gray, Mazey commented:“We are delighted to welcome Ryan to the Lions and this is further indication that whilst we have been working hard recently to strength the squad ready for a big push and finish to 2018, we are also looking further ahead and investing in young talent for the future,”

“Ryan is a tall and rangy fullback or winger and is a good athlete who has represented his county and country and is a player Stuart knows well having coached him at scholarship level and someone he is keen to work with and develop.”