TABLE-TOPPING Keighley Cougars have been dealt a blow with the new that prop Jode Sheriffe has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles.

He suffered the injury during last week’s crushing 66-6 win over South Wales Scorpions and his place is likely to go to Matthew Bailey for tomorrow’s top-of-the-table battle with Rochdale at Cougar Park.

Player-coach Paul March said: “I’m pleased we got through the South Wales game but it has come at a bit of a cost with Jode Sheriffe likely to be out for a fair bit with a ruptured achilles.

“We go into the game against Rochdale without him and it’s going to be a tough.

“The league positions say we’re the form sides. They had a good win last week after a poor performance against York, so we’re going to have to be on our guard.

“We know a lot about them, they came down with us last year, so we played them a couple of times, and they’ll know a lot about us. Obviously the best team on the day will win the game.”

Cougars chairman Gary Fawcett has applauded the team’s start to the Kingstone Press League 1 season – but believes tomorrow’s game will be their sternest test yet.

Cougars, who have won eight of their nine games, face a Hornets side who are two points behind in second spot.

Fawcett said: “Our performance last weekend against South Wales was professional and now we host Rochdale in a game that could be a dress rehearsal for the end-of-season play-off between first and second for automatic promotion.

“We might have had one already on May 31 against Oldham, or similarly, at Barrow recently.

“At this stage of the season, the final first and second positions are far from clear but what is certain is that this is a very competitive league and we need to be at our very best on Sunday.

“Rochdale will arrive at Cougar Park with a mission. The mission will be to beat us and go top of league.

“If we can overcome their challenge and beat them it will give us an improved opportunity to finish as league leaders at the end of the season and host at first-versus-second final at Cougar Park.”

Keighley, meanwhile, are continuing to raise money for the Danny Jones Fund.

A number of events are planned, the first of which is the induction of Jones into the club’s Hall of Fame on Friday, June 26.

The second event is a race night on Friday, July 17.

Both start at 7.30pm and cost £5 each, which includes a hot supper. Tickets can be bought on Cougars’ website.