Veteran prop Phil Stephenson is available for Keighley Cougars' vital clash with Halifax after escaping further punishment for the high tackle that saw him red-carded against Doncaster.

An RFL tribunal ruled his sending-off was sufficient punishment in their LHF Healthplan National League One match.

"It's a real boost for us," said coach Gary Moorby. "In our up and down season he has been a fairly consistent figure.

"His game doesn't vary very much. He plays it hard and fair.

"My call this weekend is for our experienced players to lead us, and I particularly want our front-rowers to take it to their pack. I would expect Phil Stephenson to be leading that charge.

"If we can do it up front that will be the key to winning, and I think we can do it - we've done it once before in the Arriva."

Moorby knows his side are in for a typical bottom-of-the-table dogfight and he has instructed his players to take control from the outset.

"We need to take the game to Halifax. I am getting very angry with teams bringing it to us and us being slow starters. We can't afford to do that tomorrow. They are desperate for points just we are but I don't want to put four points between us and them. If we win we are level with them but if we lose we are in trouble. This is a real key game.

"Last time we out-enthused them and I am looking for us to do that again."

The Cougars' injury problems have eased, with only skipper James Rushforth and young forward Matt Steele unavailable for selection.

"We are more or less at full strength," said Moorby, who is considering adding prop Danny Ekis to his squad to boost the mobility of his pack. "Danny played quite well for the under-21s during the week so he might come back into contention for the 17."

Halifax, still chasing a scrum half replacement for Brad Davis, have yet to find their man.

Featherstone's Carl Briggs was among those that Halifax would like to have had on board for the rest of the season, but he is believed to have turned their offer down.

"We are back in the market for a scrum half, but there aren't that many round at the moment," said assistant coach Mick Scott. But one bit of good news for the club is the probable return to fitness of prop Chris Morley, who came through an Academy game with no apparent ill effects, following a knee complaint.

He could be added to coach Anthony Farrell's plans, thus relieving some discomfort at losing Richard Whittaker back to Huddersfield Giants after his loan spell.

l Dewsbury Rams have released experienced forward Billy Kershaw from his contract ahead of their home clash with Hunslet in National League Two.