Townsville Crocodiles head coach Trevor Gleeson has returned from his scouting trip to the Philippines and the Townsville Bulletin reports that he may well have identified the team’s next import signing.

Josh Alston reports that Gleeson met with seven imports during his trip and have been in negotiations with one in particular, making it possible the club may be able to reveal Larry Abney’s replacement in the next few weeks.

"We've got two positions to fill so it was good to see all of them over there," Gleeson said.

"We're down the track a little bit but nothing is a done deal yet."

Gleeson was keeping the name of player the club is talking to close to his chest.

"I don't want to give names in case some other team comes in and swoops, especially because there were a number of other international teams over there as well especially from South Korea," he said.

"If they knew who I was talking to they would come in with the knockout punch.”

"After losing Larry I'm not prepared to tell anyone."

Gleeson indicated the athlete they were talking to had not previously played in the Philips Championship but that the club was also speaking to former South Dragons import Rosell Ellis.

"Rosell is on the short list of people we're talking to, we've had discussions with him but nothing's concrete yet," Gleeson said.

"He's one of the guys we're definitely interested in, by the middle of next week we should know where we stand."

Meanwhile, Gleeson said there was still a chance that EJ Rowland could re-sign with the team for next season.

"He's in the same boat that they're all in at the moment, it's a path that we've got to go down – we could go with a US import as a point guard (who is also) a big guy so that's what we're working on at the moment," Gleeson said.

"Next week we'll have a clearer indication of where we are."