Parramatta Eels captain Tim Mannah believes that Kane Evans is the missing ingredient in his club's upcoming NRL season.

While all the hype has focused on Evans's Fiji Bati teammate Jarryd Hayne in the pre‑season, the towering forward's arrival at Parramatta adds a much‑needed big body to a pack that punched above its weight in 2017.

According to NRL.com, Evans has arrived at Parramatta amid plenty of expectation given his reputation as a future NSW Origin prospect and the lucrative three‑year deal that lured him from the Sydney Roosters last year.

A sickening broken wrist Evans suffered in Fiji's World Cup opener has hampered his first Eels pre‑season.

But the 26‑year‑old is still expected to push for a spot in Brad Arthur's 17 for the season‑opener against the Penrith Panthers on March 11, offering a welcome point of difference.

Source: NRL