Keighley Cougars
Cougars ready for Hornets backlash
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| Gavin Duffy will be out with a broken leg for two months |
The Cougars must overcome Rochdale on Sunday without the services of broken leg victim Gavin Duffy.
The speedy winger is out for two months after suffering a fractured fibula in last week's victory over London Skolars.
Boss Barry Eaton said: "It's a clean break, which is one good thing. He'll be in pot for four weeks and then has another four weeks' rehab.
"It's a big blow for us because Gav had certainly settled down fantastically since switching from full back to wing.
"Along with all our back three, he's been playing well and we'll miss his kick returns, especially now the grounds are getting firmer."
Keighley have a ready-made replacement though in former Otley RU flier Sam Gardner, likely to be the only change from last week's squad.
Eaton said: "Sam's been one of our most consistent players over the last couple of seasons but, because of a hamstring injury and the way the side have been playing since, he hasn't been able to get back in after getting fit.
"He will do now though for what's going to be a tough match."
The second-placed Cougars entertain a Hornets side still smarting from a shock home defeat against previously winless Hunslet last Sunday.
"It'll be backlash time," admitted Eaton, who believes Bobbie Goulding's side will do all they can to spoil Keighley's current red-hot form.
"Rochdale are going to be very physical and I think they will try and really get into our faces. We have to overcome that.
"I've looked at their stats and most Rochdale matches involve a lot of errors and penalties. I just want us to stick to our own game-plan and keep our composure."
Rochdale have won only twice so far and currently sit just inside the play-off spots at seventh.
Dangerous winger Alex Brown, who left Keighley over the winter, returns to his former club alongside exciting young centre Carl Sneyd, who was on trial at Cougar Park last season.
Powerful former Featherstone Rovers loose forward Carl Hughes and dynamic former York hooker Jimmy Elston are Rochdale's key men.
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8:37pm Friday 9th May 2008
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