Parramatta assistant Peter Sharp has emerged as the new favourite for English Super League club Hull's head coaching job.

The Guardian newspaper has reported that two Hull directors had travelled to Sydney in a bid to nut out a deal with the former Manly mentor.

The move came after first choice Steve McNamara of Bradford knocked back the role surprisingly vacated by John Kear last week.

If Sharp does sign it would be an interesting coincidence.

He works at the Eels under Brian Smith who was initially linked to a return to Hull, where he coached from 1988-90, when speculation over Kear's future started earlier this season.

But Smith has since stitched up a deal with NRL club Newcastle from 2007.

Hull is said to have turned to Sharp after McNamara opted to stay at Bradford where he is being groomed as Great Britain coach Brian Noble's successor at the Bulls.

Hull chief executive David Plummer told the Guardian newspaper that he ruled out former Australian Test coach Chris Anderson from the hunt.

"We plan to make an announcement within the next few days and we are sure that all Hull fans will be pleased with the decision," he said.

Meanwhile, the cashed up Catalans Dragons have compiled a shopping list featuring Bulldogs forward Roy Asotasi as they bid to continue their climb up the Super League ladder.

New Dragons coach Mick Potter has come up with a hit list and Catalans chief executive Grant Mayer reportedly met with leading Australian managers David Riolo and Mark Rowan for talks.

"We are keen to capitalise on the good start to the season so far and explore the interest being shown by players in the market," Mayer said.

Riolo is manager for not only Asotasi but also Brisbane's Karmichael Hunt and Casey McGuire.

The Dragons can move into a top six finals position with another win this weekend after ending a three-match losing run by thrashing Castleford 51-14 on the weekend.

Castleford coach and former Canberra assistant Terry Matterson described his side's third straight loss as "embarrassing, pathetic".

"We conceded too many soft tries and the last 20 minutes was disgraceful," Matterson told Sporting Life website.

And Australian Ian Millward has vowed to fight on as Wigan coach despite his Super League side suffering its eighth loss in nine games - a 40-14 weekend defeat at the hands of Wakefield.

"There are a lot of problems here at the club and I'm here to sort it out," he told Sporting Life.

"I've got a three-year contract and I'm here for the long haul.

"Until I am told otherwise that will continue. I don't feel under any pressure - I just feel sad for the players."

Wigan is dead last on the Super League ladder.

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