Keighley Cougars' match at Swinton tomorrow looks a lot easier this weekend than it did last.

Before the Cougars' outstanding victory at Whitehaven on Sunday and Swinton's heavy defeat at Hull KR, this looked like being a tough contest between evenly matched and similar clubs.

But Keighley now go to Gigg Lane as favourites to maintain their good run.

Chief Executive Peter Roe knows victory is important for the long-term development of the club.

"We've needed consistency all season, not just for the players but to convince the community that we mean business," he said.

"We've now got a good enough squad to give us the consistency we need to achieve real success.

"We are going to need real strength in depth to get through May and June when we have something like 13 fixtures.

"I know Karl Harrison has been looking for his training programme to peak towards the end of May and I see that really as a crucial point of the season."

The Cougars are boosted by the return of Richard Smith this week.

He missed the trip to Cumbria with an ankle injury.

Smith could be joined in the centre by fellow new signing Graeme Hallas. He limped off after an impressive opening 25 minutes at Whitehaven, but the hamstring injury that has plagued him since before he signed for Keighley has had intense treatment this week.

Skipper Alan Boothroyd has also been suffering from a painful rib injury and has had to have painkilling injections before each of the last three games. But he hopes to be fully fit for Sunday.

Despite last weekend's results, nobody at the Cougars is expecting a walk-over.

Roe adds: "Swinton are a similar club to us in so many ways.

"Their coach Mike Gregory has a similar background to Karl's, and in Paul Laughlin and Ian Pickavance they have experienced players who we must be aware of.

"However, their wide pitch will suit us. We will be looking to take them on up front and then get the ball wide.

"Confidence in the club is very good at the moment.

"Team spirit is very high and it begins to look like the team is now playing as Karl wants them."

The club celebrate their centenary on April 14 with several events. The main one will be Centenary Day on April 16 when the Cougars entertain Barrow.

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