Keighley Cougar’s try-scoring prop forward Andy Shickell underwent knee surgery today (Monday).

The Halifax-based front rower has missed the last four games with a knee injury and a scan has revealed that he has some cartilage damage.

Barry Eaton, the Cougars Head Coach, said: “Andy was due to have keyhole surgery today and we won’t know the full extent of the damage until we have the surgeon’s report.

“If it is a straight forward repair then Andy could be back in action fairly soon after a period of rehabilitation.”

But there was more concerning news for Eaton because new signing back row forward Karl Gunney has a suspected torn hamstring.

“It never rains but pours,” said Eaton. “We’ve already got Andy Shickell and Carl Brown on the long term injury list and now Karl, who has settled well into our team, has picked up this injury.

“The encouraging news this morning was that he is able to walk on it so there’s some hope that this may not be as serious as we first feared. We won’t know the full extend of the damage until later in the week.”

Cougars are still hoping that Australian forward Brendon Rawlins who had to return Down Under to complete his work permit application will have received his paper work from the UK Border Agency in time for him to be considered for selection for Sunday’s away Co-operative Championship One fixture at Swinton Lions.