Keighley Cougars will be watching Wednesday evening’s re-arranged Northern Rail Cup Pool One game between Barrow Raiders and Widnes Vikings with real interest.

The result of the game will decide whether the Cougars are included in the Quarter Final draw or not.

Barry Eaton, the Cougars head coach, said: “It’s an interesting situation. In an ideal world we need a result from that game where neither side gains a bonus point because that would put us out of contention.

“If Widnes win, they have to beat Barrow by more than 12 points. That would be enough for us to be in the Quarter Final draw.

“But if Barrow win then they have to beat the Vikings by 21 points or more to keep us in the top four on points difference.”

Reflected the Cougar chief: “If we don’t make it then we’d have to look at our 16-14 defeat at Blackpool as being the game that tripped us up.

“We went into that match on a high after beating Gateshead Thunder 40-20 and Blackpool caught us on the rebound.

“It’s no disgrace to lose at Barrow. They were promoted at end of last season and have recruited well during the winter.

“We had a real go at beating them but they overcame us in the second half.”

In the wash-up after the trip Craven Park the Cougars’ medical staff will be busy.

There were two broken noses with centres Oliver Pursglove and Dan Potter both victims while fullback George Rayner suffered a leg injury that prevented him playing in the second half at Barrow.

Eaton said: “We’ll have to check them all out before Saturday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Pia Donkeys.”

There is some good news for the Cougars though because try-scoring prop forward Andy Shickell, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, is on the mend and is likely to be in contention while loose forward Carl Hughes, who suffered a knee ligament injury in December’s cross code game against Bradford and Bingley, is back in full training.

Eaton said: “It’s looking good for Andy but Saturday’s game might be a bit too soon for Carl.”

The Keighley head coach will name a squad on Thursday and they will train together on Friday.