COUGARS have appointed former Bradford Bulls player Nathan Graham as assistant coach to Craig Lingard.

Graham, who was full back for Bulls in their 1996 Challenge Cup final defeat to St Helens and also helped them win Super League in 1997, replaces Adam Mitchell in the number two role after he left to join Championship outfit Dewsbury Rams as strength and conditioning coach.

Graham was also a team-mate of new Keighley boss Lingard at Batley Bulldogs towards the back end of a career which also saw two spells at Dewsbury Rams, plus stints with Featherstone Rovers and York City Knights.

He featured for Scotland in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

Graham’s coaching experience has seen him spend five years as head coach of amateur outfit Drighlington.

Meanwhile, Cougars' Jode Sheriffe is in the Jamaican squad for upcoming internationals against Ireland and Wales.