Cougars player-coach Jason Demetriou has braced his side for a big month as they bid to maintain their position among the Co-operative Championship front-runners.

Demetriou’s third-placed side return to action after a two-week break to face Dewsbury away on Sunday.

That is followed by a televised home clash with Swinton and an away encounter against York.

Demetriou (pictured) said: “We’ve set ourselves goals for May because it’s a big month for us.

“We’ve played some of the top teams from last year and are looking to continue the kind of form we’ve showed against them.

“We’ve beaten Sheffield and Batley and given Featherstone and Halifax very close games.

“The next three games are another big test and we need to make sure we’re ready for them.”

Demetriou is focusing solely on Dewsbury for the time being, adding: “We’ve watched the past couple of games they have played and they’ve got some big forwards and a very good player in Rob Spicer.

“They have signed the young hooker Liam Hood and prop Brad Singleton from Leeds on loan, so they clearly have a very good relationship with the Rhinos.

“Defensively we’re going to have to be very good and it’s up to us to make sure we put in a performance.”

Demetriou is a doubt with a knee problem but prop Brendon Rawlins is set to return after nine weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Scrum half Ryan Smith will stay at Hunslet Hawks on a week-to-week basis. The former Dewsbury playmaker has been on loan at Hunslet, who were keen to extend the deal after two two promising performances.

Meanwhile, Cougars’ away trip to Leigh on Sunday, May 13 has been postponed as the fixture clashes with Leigh’s Carnegie Challenge Cup tie with Leeds.