CRAIG Lingard believes Adam Ryder can be ‘a danger’ to League One opposition defences after signing a two-year deal with Cougars this week.

The powerful centre produced a man of the match display while on trial in their opening friendly win over Hunslet Warriors.

And Keighley have moved swiftly to snap up Ryder, who had previously been playing rugby union for North One East side Huddersfield YMCA.

Recommended by play-maker Ritchie Hawkyard, Ryder could provide a key option in an area where Lingard has admitted Keighley needed to strengthen.

The head coach said: “It’s something Keighley have lacked a little bit of in recent years – some real ‘strike’ out wide.

“If he can carry on his progression then he’s going to be a danger. How he continues in pre-season will determine whether he starts in that position (centre) or whether it will be someone else.”

Lingard added: “We’ve seen enough of him in pre-season (training) and in that first game to know he has something about him. He looks a good find.

“He scored a couple of tries against Hunslet and set up a couple for (fellow trialist) Callum Dunne.”

Ryder has had an undisclosed release clause fee inserted into his contract should a club be interested in him over the next two seasons.

The personal trainer has experience of both codes, having starred for Hawkyard’s old club Underbank Rangers in the Conference National. As a youngster, he had trials at Bradford Bulls and Huddersfield Giants before a spell at Swinton Lions.

Lingard said: “Ritchie played with him at Swinton Lions but work commitments meant Adam could not commit to the level of training there and he had to leave.

“He’s played rugby union and played on tour for (student side) Great Britain Pioneers.

“He’s not new to rugby league, has a bit of experience and has done really well on trial.”

Ryder has been allocated the number 32 jersey by Lingard, who has also given the vacant number one jersey to Harry Aaronson.