MATT FOSTER left Cougars this week for a month's loan with Halifax Blue Sox and made his debut in their Alliance game on Thursday evening.

Foster, who has been devastating for Cougars at both full back and on the wing in recent seasons, has been out of first team action for most of the current season with an ankle injury.

With the replacement players on top form he was also expected to have difficulty fighting his way back into coach Karl Harrison's first choice squad.

But the decision to accept the loan offer comes in the week that current full back Dean Hanger, suffered knee ligament damage during the team's 36-12 victory over Swinton Lions.

"I was asked by the Halifax chairman if we had a centre available and Matt was keen to take the chance. It will also mean that he will be match-fit when he returns to us at the end of the loan period," Harrison said.

Doctors reported that Hanger's injury was not as bad as first thought and he is expected to miss the next two games. He could be back in time for the April 16 clash with Barrow Border Raiders.

Danny Seal has signed on loan for another week from Halifax and negotiations are taking place to make the move permanent.

"Danny has fitted in well and wants to stay at the club rather than go back to Halifax," Karl Harrison said.

Jason Ramshaw was back in action with Keighley's Alliance team last night (Thursday) against Rochdale after being out with a knee injury and could be in the running for Sunday's team to take on Rochdale Hornets.

Allan Boothroyd has joined the list of injured players with a broken thumb. He played with the injury last weekend, but club officials are waiting for doctors advice before making a decision on whether he should play on Sunday.

Graeme Hallas, who was suffered a hamstring injury at Whitehaven and Richard Smith are also rated no more than 50-50 to be fit to play at the weekend.

Stevie Hall also missed training earlier in the week after after suffering a blow on the leg which was badly broken a few years ago.

The Cougar side hopes to extend their winning run to four matches with a victory over Rochdale, but Karl Harrison has warned they will not get an easy ride.

"The Hornets have some very useful players and I have been told they are in a false position in the league. They have lost a few games by the odd point and will be very determined when they come to Cougar Park.

"They have two very lively Australian half-backs and a big set of forwards capable of off-loading the ball so we will have to be well prepared," he said.

n The club is to officially launch its 'League Centenary' year on April 16 with a brass band and Victorian theme.

"Keighley joined the Northern Union on April 14, 1990, and the club has been the heart of the community for 100 years, we want to make this centenary a year to remember," said managing director, Peter Rowe.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.