Keighley Cougars Head Coach Barry Eaton is set to make his first appearance of the season as a player in Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup clash with Hunslet Hawks at Cougar Park.

Eaton made four appearances and scored two tries for the Cougars last season and he has named himself in the 20-man squad from which the 17 to play on Sunday will be selected.

Barry said: “There are one or two things happening that I’d like to fix so I’ve got my boots out of storage and I’m ready to play if the occasion demands it.

“I hadn’t really planned to play again but I’ve kept my name on the club’s playing register for this kind of occasion”.

New signing from Hunslet Hawks loose forward Karl Gunney is also included in the squad as is winger Daley Williams, who was signed from engage Super League club Salford City Reds during the winter, but has yet to play for the Cougars after breaking his thumb in a road traffic accident.

Cougars’ Northern Rail Cup hopes stuttered last Sunday when they were beaten 16-14 at Blackpool Panthers just five days after posting an impressive 40-20 win over Co-operative Championship club Gateshead Thunder.

Eaton has named the same 17 players who played against Blackpool in the squad which means that the Cougars face the Hawks without prop Craig Brown who has work commitments – he also missed the game against the Panthers.

Added Eaton: “This is an important game for us and I’m keen that we regain our Northern Rail Cup momentum against the Hawks. I shall make a decision about whether to play at the last possible minute”.

Cougars (from): George Rayner, Sam Gardner, Dan Potter, Ollie Pursglove, Gavin Duffy, Lee Mapals, Daley Williams, Jon Presley, Danny Jones, Craig Fawcett, Andy Shickell, James Feather, Simon Bissell, Scott Law, Jermaine Wray, Will Cartledge, Neil Lowe, Greg Nicholson, Barry Eaton, Karl Gunney.

if he does play I hope he kicks conversions from out wide because we are seriously lacking in this department and could cost us as the season progresses it was a concern for me last season and it still is.

I think he will be using the threat to give players a warning and kick up bum.

If Barry does play it will be to influence whats happening, as it happens , at first hand ON THE PITCH, which isnt at all easy from the touchline .
Captains these days are often just a name on a sheet they rarely actually have much to do with players as the game is played .

Which as weve discussed is a lot of what goes wrong with Cougars at daft times. They seem to lose their concentration and focus .

WAYWARD is a epither that springs to mind

Certain players are always a bit loose and lazy and need a good kick whilst the game is going on. Baz can do that ON the pitch.
Its too late in the dressing room.
But he really needs the players to respond to his coaching not him have to play with them.

It should not be needed and i dont welcome it and i am sure Baz doesn't.
The kicking issue is summat else, last time Baz did play he never kicked for goal at all !!.
We should beat Hunslet by at least 10 points don't know what the bookies have given us .
Then its on to the to real test Barrow AWAY.
Any news on our injuty list our lad isnt saying owt??.

No bad thing is he does play. As has been said it should be seen as warning to the players that theres an experianced halfback who is also capable of playing at hooker on the sidelines who could still play the odd game.

Why should you beat us by 10 points? You are judgung us on last seasons team, we have strengthened alot this season and a few teams will be in for a few shocks. I think you might win Sunday but this cup means nothing we weren't gonna win it and i would put my house, car, bank balance, wife or maybe not her i wont get any takers (joke) that you wont win it. I wont be surprised if Graeme drops a few for this game why risk injury?

Looks like the buy and develop british talent going well at hunslet

Errmm, because it's what happens when you play rugby - you risk injury.

You sign for a professional club and people pay to watch you playing in competetive games that you try to win.

Simple really.

,

Hes from Garforth,leave him be.

Shick, and Cartledge out for you tomorrow.

Hunslet to rest a few but dont know who?