Keighley Cougars new boss Lee Crooks met his players for the first time last night and insisted he'll be demanding Super League standards.

Crooks, 34, who has been handed the coaching reins until the end of the season, said: "Just because they are playing in the First Division doesn't mean to say they can sit around with First Division mentalities. If they want to be successful they have to strive to achieve higher levels than they have at the moment.

"They have been made aware of what is expected and I feel sure they will respond in the right way."

Crooks watched his new charges in action at Dewsbury on Sunday and his first aim is to lift spirits after four successive league defeats and a Challenge Cup trouncing at the hands of Wigan.

"In the short-term I will be looking to bring stability to the side and try to get them a win under their belts.

"That will be done by a lot of hard work on the training field. I hope to implement one or two things during the next few days and hopefully they will be enough to get us a result against Leigh on Sunday."

Crooks called for patience from the fans who he said had a vital role to play.

"Their support should stand the club in good stead and hopefully make my job a little bit easier. I have no miracle cure though and it is purely down to hard work."

Cougars chairman Howard Carter said: "When we were looking around at who was available Lee was the candidate we thought had the most potential to become a top class coach.

"He's had a fantastic career playing under great coaches like Arthur Bunting, Malcolm Reilly, Frank Stanton, Daryl Van de Velde and more recently John Joyner and Stuart Raper.

"One of his great attributes is his great leadership qualities having lifted silverware with Hull, Leeds and Castleford and we feel he is a born winner. If he manages to achieve half of what he did on the field he will be quickly recognised as one of the leading home grown coaches."

The Cougars also confirmed the appointment of former football secretary Ray Garlick as the club's new chief executive. Deposed coach John Kain will stay at the club with a full-time contract to oversee community projects and the development of their youth structure.

Meanwhile the Cougars are hopeful that promising young forward Rob Roberts will be available despite his appearance before the League's disciplinary committee tonight.

After studying video of the high tackle on Dewsbury full-back Matthew Bramald which resulted in Roberts' dismissal, they say first contact was on the shoulder.

Centre Karl Smith and Rams loose forward Mark Haigh are also appearing before the committee after being picked out following a brawl.

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