Keighley Cougars hope to have outstanding young prop Mick Slicker back in action for Sunday's Northern Ford Premiership match of the round at title rivals Doncaster Dragons.

Slicker has been in fine early season form in the Cougars' charge to the top of the table and coach Steve Deakin admits he is keen to welcome him back as quickly as possible after missing Sunday's 22-22 draw with Featherstone with a hamstring injury.

"Mick is the best offloading forward we have and I thought it was very noticeable against Feather-stone that we did not create as much second phase play.

"At this stage Mick's hamstring is still a bit tight but we will have a much better idea at training tomorrow night and I will leave a decision until then."

Hooker Jason Ramshaw, whose fine solo try set the Cougars on the road to recovery after trailing 16-0 to Rovers before having to retire after taking a heavy knock late on, has reported no ill effects and will be fit to take his place against the third-placed Dragons.

Meanwhile Deakin has praised his side for the character they showed in twice coming from behind to grab a point against Featherstone.

"I was very pleased with our performance from the 30th minute onwards. Before then we did not control the ball well enough but once we improved in that area we caused them a lot of problems.

"At 16-16 I fancied us to really press home our advantage but Featherstone took their only chance of the second half to go in front after a touch of good fortune when the ball bounced back off Jason's head.

"But I was delighted with the way we responded to that setback and got ourselves back on level terms."

Major close season recruit Daio Powell will make his first appearance in the club's colours for the Alliance team against Doncaster at Cougar Park tonight (7.30pm).

Powell is looking to prove his fitness after only recently returning from Australia but Deakin feels he will need more second string action before he is ready to make his full debut.