IN the words of director of rugby Russell Gibson, Keighley are "definitely up for the new season".

However, they have been handed a tough start on Saturday with a visit to Scarborough, who finished fourth in Yorkshire One last season, three places and 15 points ahead of Keighley.

The visitors must also cope without the unavailable trio of Adam Horsfall, Joe Copperwaite and Dave Smith, while Alfie Seeley and Cameron Bealey-Kay are among those out injured.

"Scarborough will be a good challenge and will be one of the stronger teams in the league," added Gibson.

"But it will be a chance for the lads who come into the team to try and keep hold of that jersey when the unavailable lads come back into the picture."

Former head coach Danny McGee and Gibson started a process a few years back that new head coach Dave Duxbury and assistant player-coach James Cunliffe have continued.

Gibson said: "We wanted to get the ball out wide, and that is exactly the same philosophy that Dave and James want, so it is a progression."

Gibson added: "Alfie has an ankle injury and could be missing for three weeks, while Cameron is having an MRI scan on his anterior cruciate ligament on Saturday."

Selection is not until tonight, but Gibson wasn't giving too many trade secrets away when he confirmed that new signings Rob Baldwin, from Wharfedale, and James Cunliffe, from Bradford Salem, will be making their debuts.

Gibson also confirmed that former Baildon lock James Fox would be in the mix.

Keighley's new artificial grass pitch is due to be laid on Monday, September 11, with a view to hosting the big derby against Salem the following Saturday.