Keighley Cougars were today expected to appoint David Ellis as their new coach in succession to Lee Crooks.

Ellis, 41, who was a back-rower with the club in the early 1980s impressed the Cougars board at interview after lodging a formal application for the job.

Club officials were believed to be sorting out the finer details with Ellis today prior to an appointment, initially until the end of the season.

Ellis began his coaching career with Loughborough University and also took charge of the English Students side before heading for France where he had a highly successful stint with Villeneuve taking them to three Grand Finals.

He also had a spell as full-time coach with the French Army side, as assistant at Paris St Germain and back home with Hemel Hempstead.

He has beaten off competition from another former Keighley forward, Aussie Grant Doorey, and Frank Punchard who has enjoyed successive wins since being appointed caretaker coach following the dismissal of Crooks last month.

Other names to be linked with the post included ex-London Broncos boss Tony Currie and former Cougars boss Peter Roe.

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