The Cougars go into tomorrow's home game against Whitehaven with new boy Matt Bramald starting at full back, making his debut.

That is the only change to the Cougars squad and coach Gary Moorby has almost a full set of players to choose from.

Moorby, who is pleased to have Bramald on board, said: "Our squad is very inexperienced and Matt will help the younger players.

"He gives us a number of options, he can play either on the wing or at full back, regularly scores 20 tries a season and is an excellent talker."

Danny Ekis returns from long-term injury and is sure of a place on the bench. He too will give the squad a lift with his enthusiasm and aggression.

Moorby knows that the Cougars' situation, anchored at the bottom of National League Division One, is getting increasingly desperate.

"I am confident we can upset Whitehaven," he said.

"They only just beat us up there and we had possibly our weakest squad of the season with four academy players playing. Apparently they have a few injury worries and if we can start well we've got to have a chance."

Moorby is very much aware that his team has frustratingly high ability levels scoring some breathtaking tries at times this season, yet lacking the experience and composure to close games down when necessary.

"It's something I talked to the board about at the beginning of the year. We have a lot of raw young talent in the squad and I feel that one or two experienced players in key positions could have helped us this year.

"While the squad isn't any weaker than it was when we won the play-offs last season and got promotion, I'd have to say it isn't any stronger.

"We've really missed Jason Ramshaw, Oliver Wilkes and Ian Sinfield.

"Jason guided the team round the pitch at times using all his guile and experience, Ollie was just packed with raw aggression and line-busting ability and Ian brought an intensity and professionalism to the squad that we've certainly missed this year.

"I tried to bring one or two experienced players in during the closed season but you can only get what you can afford and I have to respect that.

"I'm hoping that Matt Bramald will bring us some of that necessary experience but I do know that it's going to be tough over the next couple of months."

Cougars: Bramald; Smith or Tomlinson, D Foster, M Foster, Robinson; Mitchell or Nipperess, Firth; Stephenson, Hoyle, Merville, Patterson, Parker, McDowell. Subs from: Clegg, Fielden, Wainwright, Beevers, Ekis.