Keighley Cougars face their stiffest test of the season to date when they face unbeaten leaders Dewsbury Rams at Cougar Park tonight.

The visitors have won all five of their Northern Ford Premiership encounters, but Keighley coach Karl Harrison believes his men are ready to try and end that proud run.

Harrison said: "This is a game we are well capable of winning. Everyone knows how Dewsbury play - they've been a good side for a couple of years now - and their set-up is very stable.

"This probably shows in the fact that they have five wins out of five games so far this season and will take some beating. We're exactly the opposite of them. We're a new team with a new coaching staff and it's obviously going to take time for us to gel.

"However, if we play to our potential we can win. We must cut out the schoolboy errors which have plagued us in our last two league games.

"Hopefully we have eradicated them in training over the last two weeks and in the game against Cardiff, and I think we are well capable of beating Dewsbury."

Harrison is boosted by the news that young prop Mick Slicker has recovered from an ankle ligament injury and will start tonight.

Wingers Craig Horne and Jason Lee have shrugged off knee injuries, but there are still doubts about the fitness of centre Karl Smith.

Harrison said: "Karl has struggled for the last two weeks with this niggling ankle injury. I took him off at half-time against Cardiff as a precaution, but he had to go back on for Jason Lee.

"I rate his chances as 60-40. His availability will be a big boost to the side. Since he came into the team he has really knuckled down and I think he's been our most impressive back so far this season.

"However, we are well covered if he is unfit. Richard Smith will slot into the centre berth."

Keighley Cougars (probable): Owen, Horne, K Smith, Rushforth, Lee, Wood, Antonik, Slicker, Ramshaw, Boothroyd, Hughes, Harrison, Pickles. Subs: R Smith, Hall, Stephenson, Thompson.

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