'LET'S stick together' is the message from Keighley Cougars as they look to stop their slide of four successive defeats this weekend.

Paul Royston, Cougars' strength and conditioning coach, says he understands the club's fans getting nervous after a run of four heavy losses over the last few weeks.

Cougars look to arrest this horror run when they travel to Oldham Roughyeds on Sunday (3pm kick-off), who themselves crashed to a 31-0 defeat at Doncaster last weekend.

Keighley are looking to bounce back from a 34-0 reverse at Hunslet last Friday night, with Royston hoping his side can improve their mentality.

He said: "I would expect the fans to be disappointed, we are in it together.

"We want the best for the club as well. We had a better start to the season than we hoped for. But we have had a reality check.

"We always saw this as a building year. The players have tried their best. We are looking to recruit to lift us for next season. That's the medium-term goal.

"I would say to the fans to stick with us. It's a learning curve."

Cougars have had a woeful six weeks, losing their last four league and cup games. Over those matches they have conceded 164 points, scoring just 36. They include a 52-12 defeat to this weekend's opponents, Oldham Roughyeds, at Cougar Park last month.

Royston added: "We are looking at what changes we can make in terms of personnel for the improvement of results. At times we did play OK at Hunslet, but they took their chances.

"We've got to somehow lift the players. They are training really well. Rugby league is a really tough game.

"There is a lot of work to be done. I was surprised by Oldham's result last weekend, as we have beaten Doncaster this season. I am more bothered about us.

"When you slip to four defeats like we have it's definitely a mentality thing.

"I want to see that if we end up going behind in games will we stick together? Are we going to fight and minimise what they are going to do? "

Benn Hardcastle faces a spell on the sidelines after going off with a concussion in Cougars' derby, which has given Royston cause for concern.

Royston said: "I can't believe the number of concussions we have had this year. We have not been able to see much of Matt Nicholson this season after he suffered a concussion. It's a worry, we have had quite a few. Lewis Wray has had quite a few. We will have to see where Benn is."

Meanwhile, Cougars have continued to tie down their existing squad to new contracts.

Will Cooke has signed a 12-month contract extension to keep him at Cougar Park until the end of the 2020 season.

Jack Coventry has penned a two-year deal with the club that will see the prop remain with Cougars until the end of the 2021 campaign. His team-mate, Matt Welham, also signed the same length of deal last week.

Cougars' Betfred League One clash against Coventry Bears on Sunday, August 4 will now be played at Webb Ellis Road, the home of the Rugby Lions, due to the instillation of a 4G pitch at the Butts Park Arena.

Cougars’ cancer awareness day against Oldham Roughyeds last month raised a grand total of £2,377.62.

The Keighley Cougars Dance Academy will be hosting a community dance day at the club’s next home fixture against London Skolars on Saturday, June 22.

Cougar Pride, celebrating equality and diversity, will be held at the club’s clash with West Wales Raiders on Sunday, July 14.

Model and TV personality Katie Price be a special guest at the game, but the players will have a pride kit featuring a rainbow colours design.

Keighley's home will also be the venue for a music festival next month.

Cougar Park Rocks will be held at the ground on Saturday, July 20, between 1pm and 7pm.

Live music from acts including The Sheratons, Buster, Night Train and Rock Bottom Risers will take to the stage. This will be followed by live DJs from 8pm.

Tickets, priced £15 for all of the event, or £10 for the retro night and DJs only are available by calling 07816 490013, or pay on the gate.