PAUL March will not be applying for the vacant coaching position at Bradford and has spoken of his desire to keep Cougars in the Championship.

The player-coach is in his second year in charge at Cougar Park and is currently seeking to avoid a bottom-five finish and subsequent relegation ahead of a major restructure of the game next season.

A number of March’s Championship counterparts such as Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison, Batley boss John Kear and Halifax’s Karl Harrison are believed to be interested in the vacant Odsal post.

But March (pictured) has no desire to succeed Francis Cummins, who was unseated on Monday along with assistant Lee St Hilaire, following Sunday’s heavy defeat at Salford.

Like March, Cummins hails from Dewsbury and the Cougars boss said: “I won’t be applying and I don’t think the likes of John Kear and Glenn Morrison would want it either.

“With all the troubles they have had there, I think Bradford will be struggling to get a decent coach in now.

“They appear to be odds-on to get relegated and Glenn has just signed a new deal at Dewsbury and I think John is happy at Batley.

“I’m certainly happy where I am so there won’t be any interest from me.

“I’m fully committed to Keighley Cougars and trying to keep us in the Championship.

“Beating Batley last weekend would have taken us a long way to survival, but we’ve nicked a few games like that ourselves this season and are looking to get back on track at Sheffield on Sunday.”

March expressed sympathy for Cummins, who has endured a traumatic spell in charge of the fallen Super League giants.

“I’ve know Franny for a long time,” said March.

“He was at Dewsbury Celtic Under-18s when I was at St John Fisher and our paths crossed quite regularly after I went to Wakefield and he was playing for Leeds.

“It’s a shame because I thought he was doing a good job in the circumstances.

“But obviously Bradford have decided to part company with Franny and Lee, so let’s see who goes in there now – and indeed who wants it.”

Cougars face a Sheffield side who moved into fifth place in the table after a 28-12 victory at Dewsbury on Sunday.

Mark Aston’s men will be looking to continue winning ways at Owlerton Stadium following their thrilling 37-30 win over Workington two weeks ago.

March added: “We want to go to Sheffield and give a good account of ourselves. If we do that I’m sure we can come away with three points.

“I’ve been to Owlerton Stadium for the dogs before but not rugby.

“It’s not the nicest place but at least Sheffield have got their own home and it will be a test for us. We know what it’s all about and be confident in what we can do.”

March has no major fitness worries and the currently banned player-coach added: “Ash Lindsay was involved in a minor car accident on Monday and has whiplash.

“We will check him but everyone else is fine and hopefully we can freshen things up with playing four games in fourteen days.”