Coach Lee Crooks expects fans to flock to Cougar Park on Sunday for the Challenge Cup clash with Rochdale Mayfield and help give his side the perfect start to the new season.

Cougars have strengthened their squad during the close season with the capture of Castleford's Andrew Schick and the return of former heroes Martin Wood and Steve Hall.

Keighley are hot favourites for this weekend's third round clash although with the amateur side set to bring five supporters' coaches to West Yorkshire, Crooks is keen to see as many Keighley fans at Cougar Park as possible.

He said: "The support we have received in the two trial games has been superb and I hope those fans will come and support us again.

"We had more than 2,000 at the Leigh game and then last weekend our fans made up more than half the crowd at Hunslet.

"The cup is important to us because if we win this we could then draw one of the big sides in Super League. No-one in their right mind thinks we might win the Challenge Cup, but it could be very rewarding financially.

"The ideal draw would be against Bradford Bulls, either at Odsal or Cougar Park. However before we start thinking about that, we must make sure we beat Rochdale Mayfield."

Crooks was disappointed with his side's display in the 18-12 defeat at Hunslet last week and is adamant that Cougars must cut out the sloppy mistakes which cost them a victory.

"The players are aware I thought it was a slipshod performance. The thing that disappointed me the most was that we let down the fans who made the trip.

"They paid good money to watch such a poor display and it must not happen again. I have seen Rochdale on video in their game against Featherstone Lions.

"They look a big side and the players will have to be 100 per cent professional on Sunday."

Meanwhile, Keighley envisage having no problems with securing a work permit for Aussie centre David Chapman.

Cougars pounced to capture the Castleford centre who has been playing in Australia for Burley Bears in the Gold Coast competition.

Crooks said: "Everything is progressing well. We have sent the documents to the Rugby League explaining he has played the stipulated 75 per cent of games and they don't foresee any problems."

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