CRAIG Lingard says it is time for Keighley Cougars to put their nightmare pre-season behind them and focus on their season's big kick-off.

The head coach admits it is surreal to be preparing his side for Sunday's trip to Whitehaven after a rollercoaster off-season which included the club being placed in special measures, a row over unpaid wages before last month's takeover by a consortium led by former chairman Mick O'Neill. They start the season on -12 points due to the change of ownership.

Cougars fans had their first glimpse of Cougarmania Mark II when they lost 46-24 to Leeds Rhinos in their first and only pre-season friendly, the inaugural Derek Hallas Trophy, on Sunday.

Despite the result against a fledgling Rhinos side, Lingard says the feel-good factor is back at the club and urged everyone associated with Cougars to put its winter of discontent behind them.

Lingard said: "It is still a bit surreal that we are preparing for a league game. It is just a big positive that we have got there. Our supporters are putting on a third bus for the trip to Whitehaven.

"Now we are getting to the competitive games and the league season is starting, it's time to look forward, rather than looking back. It is time to put the well-documented problems that happened here in the past. It was a nightmare to live through.

"We now have people in charge who have the club's best interests at heart.

"We've got to take positives out of the negatives. There is a lot more interest in the club in the local community now.

"It is always a test going to Whitehaven. You never get an easy ride up there. They have played three or four friendlies during pre-season, so they will be a lot more prepared than we will be. They have quality out wide that we need to be aware of.

"Our squad is looking OK. There are still areas we need to strengthen. It is difficult to do that now as the majority of players are signed up to clubs for the season.

"We are looking at the loan market. Any new players have got to be right for us. The blend we have is right for what we need. In Jamie Thackray, Buster Feather and Jason Muranka we have a lot of experience and, with the youngsters, that is a really good mix for us.

"It's a really tough, competitive league. I don't want us to worry about when we will get the 12 points back. We've got to concentrate on the games. The quicker we can knock them off the better. It is there in the back of a minds though.

"League One is going to be really tough this season. Newcastle Thunder have recruited from the Championship and Super League. They are the hot favourites. Hunslet and Doncaster are strong. Workington have spent a lot of money, they will be a real challenge. Oldham are always a strong team."

Meanwhile, It has been another busy week of recruitment for Lingard as the finishing touches to his 2019 squad have been announced.

Hal of Famer James 'Buster' Feather will line up for the club again. He will be playing his 18th and final season with the Cougars, the 15th in the first team, making 317 appearances.

Wing/full-back Matt Welham has signed following a spell with Hemel Stags during the second half of last season. Prop Jack Coventry, who signed for Cougars last October, joins after two seasons at Hunslet.

Scotland international Kieran Moran, who arrived midway through last season and made six appearances, will be looking to compete for Cougars' prop jersey.

Hooker Luke Million, who also joined the Cougars in October following brief stints with Hunslet and French outfit Villeneuve, is in for the 2019 season.

Trialist Jordan Cella has signed a one-year deal following a successful trial period with the club, joining from Rochdale Mayfield.

The squad will be officially introduced to fans at a launch event held at Cougar Park tonight from 7.30pm.

Cougars also made a double loan swoop on Championship side Featherstone Rovers.

Forwards Jimmy Beckett and Spencer Darley have joined the League One side on a month’s loan deal and we were named in Cougars' squad for Sunday's Rhinos friendly.

The young props will continue to train with the Rovers first team, and will train with the Cougars twice a week.

Featherstone Rovers general manager Steve Gill, who had a spell at Cougars last year, said: “Both Spencer and James will join Keighley on a initial one-month loan, and if it suits both parties we will both have a option to extend it further.

“I’m pleased both players are teaming up with Craig Lingard at Keighley as they will continue to develop on the playing front, something we can’t offer them at this moment in time."

Cougars have been handed a home tie against Cumbrian side Distington in the third round of the Coral Challenge Cup. The match will be played over the weekend of March 9 and 10.