COUGARS will go into Sunday's second pre-season match with a bumper 28-strong squad.

Earlier in the week coach Peter Roe had planned to whittle down the numbers, but after hard training sessions has decided to give all his trialists another chance to prove their worth.

"I decided it wasn't fair to cut the squad down after just one game and want to give everyone a chance to show what they can do," he said.

New Zealander Scott Nixon will also get his first run out with the club after flying into the UK on Wednesday. He has been playing with Valley United in the Manly Warringah League in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia and was their Player of the Season in 2004

Centres Darren Nixon and Michael Foggarty, who were signed following impressive performances against Batley will also be in the line-up alongside 21-year-old forward Richard Knight who also impressed enough to be signed on by the club.

"The game at Whitehaven will also give me a chance to see how the players react to having to travel," Roe said.

Players will also want to impress to make it into the line-up for next week's home game against Bradford Bulls when a bumper crowd is expected at Cougar Park. The game will be played three days after Bradford's World Club Challenge clash with Southern Hemisphere champions Wests Tigers.

As part of the build-up to the new season the Cougars are also to launch their new-look shirt during a 'Meet the Players' night at Cougar Park on Tuesday evening.

Fans will have a chance to meet players and the coaching staff, with replica shirts going on sale for the first time.

"The shirts will be available for £35.99 on the night, a saving of £4 on the normal price," Peter Roe said.

n Picture shows: Cougar new boys (from left): Richard Knight, Scott Nixon, Mick Foggarty and Darren Nixon.