NEW signing Matt Bramald is set to make his debut for Cougars against Whitehaven this week -- as the club fights off the threat of relegation.

The former Batley and Featherstone player, is expected to be slotted in at full back where he has a reputation as a sharp cover-tackler but also breaks into the line with a high scoring rate.

"He has settled in very quickly at Cougar Park and will definitely feature in the squad for the weekend," said coach Gary Moorby.

"Apart from long term casualties James Rushforth and Matt Steel, we will be selecting from a full squad."

But Moorby knows they face a tough task against Whitehaven who are second in the league

"Whitehaven have established themselves as the top Cumbrian outfit over the last season or so, they have some very good players and are capable of beating any side in the division on their day.

"When we travelled to the Recreation Ground early in the season it was in the middle of our injury crisis and we fielded several Academy players. We gave a good account of ourselves even though we did not get the result.

"With all respect to the young guys that played for us that day, on paper we are fielding a much stronger side this Sunday, and we are capable of causing an upset."

Coaches and players have returned to basics in training over the last two weeks in a bid to cut down handling and defensive errors.

"If we can get the fundamentals right I believe we are capable of getting the result we want," Moorby said.

The club is also looking for fans to give the team a lift from the terraces.

"We still have the best fans in NL1 and I want them to really get behind the team on Sunday. They have been working hard in training, but supporters can give the players an extra edge," Moorby said.

n Andy Robinson in action (right)