Keighley coach Barry Eaton admits Sunday’s opening Northern Rail Cup tie at Blackpool Panthers will be his side’s most important group game.

On paper, it would appear their other games against Championship title-holders Barrow and fifth-place finishers Whitehaven represent the toughest tasks.

But Martin Crompton’s ever-improving Panthers side have emerged as one of the favourites for this season’s Championship One and Eaton is certainly not underestimating them.

He said: “Martin has drilled his side really well and they’ve had a steady progression over the last couple of years.

“There are lots of similarities between what he’s doing there and what we’ve done here. He’s an astute coach and you can tell his players have full respect for him.

“Martin Ainscough and Tom Hemingway are both excellent players and he’s made some other significant signings. It’s certainly not the easiest of Championship One teams we could have met.”

Cougars will start their Championship campaign with a deduction of up to nine points after entering administration and a decision on the severity of the penalty is expected imminently.

But they start the Northern Rail Cup on a level playing field and Eaton is keen to use the group games as a chance to build momentum.

He added: “We need to get a win to stand a good chance of qualifying.

“It’s the most important game we’re going to play in the Northern Rail Cup.”

Ben Sagar is a doubt after suffering a hyper-extended elbow and adds to Eaton’s injury headache.

Carl Hughes was already ruled out despite returning to training, and new signings Chris Baines and Richard Jones are both doubts.

Baines is back in training following his hernia operation but has suffered stiffness in his abductor muscle, while Jones has felt tightness in his hamstring.

Blackpool will be without full-back Jonny Leather (knee).

Crompton said: “Keighley will be a big test for us, as they always are.

“Barry Eaton has done a great job and got them promoted so we know what we’re up against.”