Cllr. Amjad Zaman, the Mayor of Keighley, has written a letter in support of Keighley Cougars’ Australian forward Brendon Rawlins.

Rawlins is currently stuck in Australia awaiting a visa to return to this country and to resume his playing career with the Cougars.

He had to return to Australia to complete the UK Border Agency’s requirements after winning his appeal against the RFL’s decision not to give him preferred player status.

Originally Keighley Cougars were expecting Rawlins to be in Australia for just over three weeks while his application was processed. Cougars had been hoping that Brendon would be back at Cougar Park by the end of March.

But now Rawlins’ application has become involved in a delay. Head Coach Barry Eaton has asked the RFL to lend their support to gaining Rawlins clearance and now Cllr. Zaman has written saying that the town would like Brendon to be allowed to return to Cougar Park as quickly as possible.

Eaton said: “When Cllr Amjad attended the club’s Fourth Round Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Castleford Tigers he heard about the frustration we’re experiencing with Brendon’s application and offered to write a letter of support.

“We’re really grateful to Cllr. Zaman for trying to help the club. Besides being an important member of the Cougars team, both on and off the field, we need Brendon back as soon as possible as injuries have robbed us of Craig Brown and Andy Shickell.

“The RFL have been in touch with the embassy in Australia about the situation and now we’re just waiting to see what happens.

“We’re really grateful for the support of the sport’s governing body and the town.”

Cllr. Zaman said: “I was very happy to write in support of Brendon and the Cougars. I just hope that my letter helps resolve the club’s problem in returning Brendon Rawlins to the club as soon as possible”.