EMMERSON Whittel returns to Cougars first-team action this evening for the rearranged Kingstone Press League One clash with Barrow Raiders.

The second-row forward is back a month ahead of schedule after suffering a broken jaw in the controversial Challenge Cup win at Fryston Warriors in February.

Whittel has made a quicker than expected recovery following the injury sustained in a brawl which marred the third-round tie and left him needing surgery to realign and repair his jaw.

He made his initial comeback on Saturday in the Reserves' 44-38 victory over Scotland Students.

Keighley coach Craig Lingard has made two enforced changes to his 19-man squad to face the Raiders at Cougar Park (7.30pm).

Hamish Barnes (knee) and James Feather (illness) have been ruled out, with Josh Lynam (back) and Whittel replacing them.

Cougars are aiming for their fourth league win on the bounce after beating Coventry Bears 44-24 on Sunday.

Despite that run of victories, Lingard was fuming at his players after they failed to hammer home their advantage at Coventry, and he insists that points difference could be crucial come the end of the season.

He said: “The performance, especially in the second half, was absolutely awful and I let the lads know that if it wasn’t for the game on Wednesday then they would have been getting it at training on Tuesday.

“I don’t know if it was the attitude or application or a mixture of the two during the second half but it wasn’t good enough as we’d put ourselves into a position there to put some points on the board.

“We know that the league table come the end of the season could come down to points difference, so we’ve missed a massive opportunity.

“Without being disrespectful to Coventry, we’d put ourselves into that position and we’d earned the right to put more points on the board and didn’t take the opportunity.

“This is a process and we’re just not there yet. We’re trying to get through this year to get to where we need to be and we’re not where we need to be yet – it’s simply not good enough."

In an effort to boost their gate this evening, Keighley have a special 'Golden Ticket Bonanza' offer for season ticket holders at Super League and Championship clubs, who can gain entry for £5 on production of their ticket.

Cougars squad v Barrow: Harry Aaronson, Andy Gabriel, Davey Dixon, Matty Beharrell, Scott Law, Josh Lynam, Brendon Rawlins, Mike Emmett, Adam Brook, Neil Cherryholme, Will Milner, Nathan Conroy, Josh Tonks, Matthew Bailey, Emmerson Whittel, Vinny Finigan, Sean Kelly, Brad Nicholson, Adam Ryder.