COUGARS will be looking to redeem themselves on Sunday at a ground where, according to Craig Lingard, they put in their worst performance of the season.

Though Keighley beat Doncaster at home in the League One Cup, it is the 28-14 defeat at the Keepmoat Stadium in June which still rankles with the head coach.

"We didn’t play very well at all in the league away and we’ve got something to make up for on that display," admitted Lingard ahead of his side's first Super Eights clash.

"We wanted to tie their middle up, get a quick ruck and play off the back of that but we didn’t do that. We went wide too early and we didn’t make them work.

"This time we've got to look to win that ruck and have people like Nathan Conroy, Ritchie Hawkyard and Harry Aaronson coming in and picking up and scooting. Once we get a roll on, that’s when we can start going wide."

Cougars head to the Dons with confidence following a 92-6 hammering of Oxford and a crucial 30-30 draw at Workington.

Lingard believes his side could be finding their best form at just the right time. He said: "We’ve learned what our strengths and weaknesses are.

"We've identified we are not the biggest group in the league. Everyone else plays very similar in that they get big men down the middle and try to blow you away, and play off the back of that.

"We haven’t quite got those big men and have to use speed and agility and play fast on people. Certainly the last game and a half that’s how we’ve played and the lads have realised that is our strength and that is what we need to keep doing."

With the exception of Emmerson Whittel – who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Oxford – Cougars have a clean bill of health with prop Scott Law due back after a groin injury.

Lingard said: "Scott declared himself fit for Oxford but I didn’t really want to risk him and potentially lose him for the rest of the season. With the two weeks we’ve had off, everyone is wanting to put their hand up and play."

The news on Whittel is much less positive, with Lingard fearing the second-row forward could even miss next season after a scan confirmed he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament.

He said: "We don’t know if there is any more damage inside his knee which could impact on his rehabilitation. It's really disappointing for him."

"I spoke to Emmerson on Monday after his consultation with the specialist. They won't be able to operate for four to six weeks because the swelling has to go down and he has to get mobility back into the knee as much as possible."

Whittel tweeted yesterday that he hoped to be back for next season.