The next two games could determine the course of Cougars’ season, according to player-coach Jason Demetriou.

Sunday’s trip to Whitehaven promises to be their toughest test yet in the league, followed swiftly by a clash with fellow promotion contenders Oldham.

Keighley lead the way in the early running, having won both games so far while scoring more and conceding less than any of their Co-operative Championship One rivals.

But those games came against two of the bottom three, and even though Whitehaven currently sit last in the table, Demetriou doesn’t expect them to be there for long.

Like Cougars, the Cumbrians have won both of their opening games and only trail the rest of the pack due to a nine-point deduction imposed by the Rugby Football League after entering administration.

“I’m very happy with the way we’ve gone so far,” said Demetriou.

“We’ve only conceded 16 points in two games and we’ve scored more than anyone else as well.

“But the next two games are really going to show where we’re at. We play Whitehaven away and Oldham at home, so if we can win both of those and be four from four, it would set us up well.”

Cougars’ trek to Cumbria comes on the back of last week’s long-haul journey to Gateshead.

Despite coming away from the north east with two points, Demetriou is wary of the after-effects from a 200-mile round trip.

Craig Moss, Danny Lawton, Scott Law and Brendon Rawlins were all rested with Whitehaven in mind, while Demetriou sat out the 44-10 win himself to avoid aggravating a quad strain.

All five could return on Sunday, while scrum half Luke Helliwell is also in line for a comeback, although Ben Sagar and James Haythornthwaite are doubts.

“The two Cumbrian trips, to Whitehaven and Workington, are two of the most important away games this year,” said Demetriou.

“Workington showed how hard it can be to go up there by beating Oldham last week.

“The preparation does change slightly for this kind of trip. On Tuesday, we didn’t run the players during training, as we want to freshen them up a bit.

“I’ve got four or five players to come in fresh as well after resting them.

“We didn’t get back from Gateshead until around 8pm on Sunday and most of the players had to be up at 7am for work, so it’s tough.”

To mark Mother’s Day, Cougars are offering free entry to all women for their game against Oldham a week on Sunday (3pm).

The club are also intending to hold a ladies’ day for the clash with Workington on Monday, April 25.

Chairman Gary Fawcett said: “These events are the same as the ones that helped spark ‘Cougarmania’ back in 1991 and we’re hoping they can have a similar effect.”