COUGARS coach Paul March insists his main squad members will not play in all four of the club's pre-season friendlies.

Keighley, who began their warm-up schedule with a 16-8 victory at home to Oldham two weekends ago, face a Halifax reserve side at Cougar Park tonight (7.45).

They will also be at home to Hunslet Hawks on Sunday, February 14, while also making a trip to Barrow Raiders the previous Sunday.

"The idea is that everyone will play in three of the four games," said March.

“For example, Ritchie Hawkyard, Paul Handforth, James Feather, Brendon Rawlins, John Oakes, Ash Lindsay and Vinny Finigan, who played against Oldham, are set to miss out tonight, while Rikki Sheriffe and Paul White – who didn’t play last time – should feature at Barrow.

"It is difficult to know what kind of side Halifax will send as they drew 18-18 with Widnes last Sunday. I expect them to field some young lads – but so will I and it is about what we do, rather than Halifax.

"It was disappointing that Bradford & Bingley didn't play at Cougar Park last Saturday but the pitch was hard in places, although as long as there wasn't a heavy overnight frost the pitch should be perfect for us."