Keighley Cougars travel to Barrow on Sunday for what will be a crucial fixture in their push towards the play-offs next month without hooker Simeon Hoyle. He was banned for two matches after a dangerous tackle in the Hunslet game a fortnight ago.

Coach Gary Moorby was obviously disappointed to lose one of his star men, but is not letting Hoyle's suspension disrupt preparation. He said: "It will be a big loss, but I do feel our squad can move to cover most positions at the moment - last season it would have been a nightmare.

"Simeon's been outstanding this season, but we intend to move Jason Ramshaw back to hooker. He's not as quick as he was, but he's certainly got the brains to organise our attack."

Moorby also has another selection headache and that is whether to keep Matt Foster at full back in place of the returning skipper James Rushforth. He missed last week's game with a calf injury and in his absence Foster was outstanding and looks like getting the nod.

Moorby knows fourth-placed Barrow will be a tough game. He said: "All the top four sides are playing each other this weekend and this is a great opportunity for us to go second or even back to the top depending on the outcome of the Sheffield v Chorley game.

"We know Barrow have a good pack with a strong off-load game and we'll have to watch their stand-off Tane Manihera who is a quality player.

"But after last week's improved performance against Workington when we scored seven tries to their one, I'm confident we can go there and get a result."

Cougars (from): M Foster, Rushforth; Smith, B Foster, Wainwright, Robinson; Ashton, Mitchell, Firth; Stephenson, Ramshaw, Merville, Parkin, Ekis, Wilkes, Helliwell, Sinfield, Patterson, Durham.