KEIGHLEY Cougars chairman Mick O'Neill expects a crowd of more than 3,000 people to pack the park for his side's huge cup derby.

The returning head of Cougarmania dubbed Keighley's Coral Challenge Cup fourth round tie with neighbours, Championship outfit Bradford Bulls as a dream draw. The clash, which kicks-off at 2.45pm, will also have national exposure when it is broadcast on the BBC.

He added it would be a "gift from heaven" if Cougars could cause what, for many, would be an upset.

But he has urged supporters to fill the ground for Sunday's clash, calling for town residents to "take their slippers off" and come down to Cougar Park.

Aside from this season's feel-good factor among Cougars fans, O'Neill is realistic about his side's chances of making it through Sunday's tie with John Kear's men.

The sides met competitively for the first time in 42 years last season when Bulls were relegated to the third tier.

Bradford won both fixtures comfortably (54-6 at Cougar Park and 54-4 at Odsal) but Keighley will be thrilled to land another derby clash guaranteed to provide a bumper gate at Lawkholme Lane.

But O'Neill does expect a jam-packed Cougar Park to be out in force and in full voice to create a cauldron.

He said: "We're hoping for at least 3,000 people for the game.

"If we win I would be ecstatic, it would be marvellous.

"We had safety officials at the ground last week and they have given us a 4,000-person limit for the Bulls game.

"It's a great draw, great for the town. It would give us a big increase in attendance. Let's hope we can do it. It's a long shot. It would be a gift from heaven if we won.

"We could not wish for a better draw really, it's amazing.

"It's an extra bonus for the game being on the BBC Sport website, but I'm not sure if that might hinder our capacity at the ground on the day.

"It's not our biggest game of the season, if we were to get through it, that would then be the biggest game."

He added he was encouraged by his side's start to the Betfred League One season and said the club was building relationships with some of the town's other sports side's, including Keighley Cricket Club.

O'Neill, who has swapped his home in Australia for masterminding Cougars' revival in person this season, says he has been overwhelmed by the town's response to his consortium's takeover so far.

He said: "It's going really well. I'm really pleased.

"I went to a function with James 'Buster' Feather and he said the town is alive. People are stopping him in the street saying they have never experienced this before. But a lot of them still need to get their slippers off and come down.

"It's a nice atmosphere, It's amazing."