Leaders Keighley Cougars will give late fitness tests to skipper Graeme Hallas and prop Mick Slicker as they bid to extend their winning sequence to seven against Featherstone Rovers tomorrow.

Coach Steve Deakin is optimistic that both players will recover in time to take their places in the line-up at Cougar Park.

He said: "Mick picked up a leg injury in the win at Sheffield while Graeme turned an ankle," explained Deakin. "But Mick showed a definite improvement at our last training session and Graeme looks as if he should be OK."

As a precaution Chris Hannah and Karl Smith have been added to the squad after impressing for the Alliance side in the 8-8 draw at Featherstone on Thursday night.

Deakin is expecting a torrid opening from a Featherstone side who have three wins and a draw from their last four games having lost their opening two.

"Their last two performances against Batley and Doncaster have been very impressive and I know Peter Roe will have them motivated.

"There are a pretty young side but can handle themselves and have the best kicking game in the Northern Ford Premiership. They also have some outstanding individuals in Jamie Stokes and Jamie Rooney.

"We will have to match their enthusiasm in the opening minutes to stand a chance of keeping our run going."

Rovers boss Roe, who had two spells in charge of the Cougars and still lives in the town, said: "Keighley are the in-form side, but we are going with an open mind about the game. I'm pleased with our recent performances and in particular our defence."

Cougars have confirmed that they have signed highly-rated second row or prop Dave Best. The 21-year-old former BARLA international tourist was with Rochdale Hornets last season. He was snapped up after impressing for Cougars' Alliance side.

Meanwhile Gateshead Thunder coach Andy Kelly will be aiming to turn the tables on younger brother Neil when he takes his Dewsbury Rams to the International Stadium.

Thunder are one of two teams yet to win a point after the first six rounds of the Northern Ford Premiership while Neil's reigning champions are just two points adrift of the Cougars.

The Rams allow the fledgling Gateshead club to use the Ram Stadium for their training sessions but Andy is not expecting any other favours from his brother.

"We use Dewsbury's facilities so it's going to be difficult to keep any secrets from them," quipped Andy, who expects to name the same squad that did so well against Doncaster last week.

Dewsbury bring in Mark Cain at stand-off for the suspended Richard Agar, with Barry Eaton reverting to scrum-half and Dave Mycoe playing his first game of the season at hooker in the continued absence of the injured Richard Pachniuk.

Cougars: (from) Rushforth: Horne, Carter, Hallas, Lee; Wood, Antonik; Slicker, Ramshaw, Walker, Harrison, Hughes, Seal, Lord, Leathem, Stephenson, Boothroyd, Hannah, Smith.

Featherstone: (from) Rhodes, Stokes, Dooler, Simpson, Bramald, Bastow, Rooney, Dickens, Chapman, Clarkson, Evans, Lowe, Darley, Swinson, Barnett, Helliwell, Morgan.