In-demand Karl Gunney has completed his move to the Cougars and could go straight in against his former Hunslet Hawks team-mates this weekend.

The highly-rated back-rower eventually signed on the dotted line on Tuesday night having agreed a deal for the rest of 2009.

With a number of injury doubts in his squad, Keighley boss Barry Eaton may hand the player his debut against Hunslet in the Northern Rail Cup clash at Cougar Park this Sunday.

“Karl’s had work commitments during pre-season which is why this deal’s been so prolonged,” he said. “But we assessed his fitness with a bleep test at training on Tuesday and he wasn’t too bad at all.

“He was up there with the rest of our forwards and we’ll have another check tonight to see what his skills are looking like.

“If he comes through okay though I certainly wouldn’t hesitate putting him in for Hunslet.”

Gunney, 22, turned down the offer of a new deal at Hawks to link up with Keighley and Eaton admitted: “We’re delighted Karl’s decided to join.

“He was nominated for National League Two Young Player of the Year last season which shows he’s got good qualities.

“Karl’s indicated that he wants to build on that and take his game to another level with us.

“He feels he’s joining a successful, forward-thinking club in the Cougars and we’re pleased to have him on board.

“We’ve been a bit light in the forwards with Brendan Rawlins still awaiting his work permit and Carl Hughes out with his knee injury until next month.”

Second row Will Cartledge (hamstring) and prop Andy Shickell (calf) also picked up knocks in Sunday’s loss at Blackpool and they face fitness tests this evening.

Front-rower Craig Brown (work) is again unavailable this weekend so Gunney seems likely to come into contention.

Eaton is also considering selecting himself after the disappointing 16-14 defeat against Panthers.

“I want to make sure players start following instructions and they didn’t do that last week,” he said.

“If I feel I can add some structure I might pick myself but we’ll see.”

Former Salford City Reds winger Daley Williams could also make his ‘second’ debut after his broken thumb showed no adverse reaction during his first week back training.

Keighley sit top of Northern Rail Cup Pool One after beating Gateshead and picking up a bonus point in defeat at Blackpool.

However, most of their rivals have a game in hand and Eaton knows they must beat Hunslet to maintain hopes of progressing with a difficult Barrow trip up last.