There has been no warm-weather training for the Cougars this week, only rain - but they will be ready to head to Super League-chasing Leigh.

Keighley visit the National One outfit for their latest friendly on Sunday knowing the hosts have just completed a practice camp in sun-kissed Palma.

Barry Eaton's side, meanwhile, have barely been able to practice at all.

"We've had to cancel two training sessions this week because our pitch is under water - and the one at Bradford & Bingley - but Leigh are just coming back from a few days in Spain," said Eaton.

"There's a bit of a difference, isn't there? I'm sure the chairman would have said yes if I'd asked to take our boys out there but they'd all be paying for themselves!

"Obviously, Leigh are a full-time squad and they look like they're getting everything in place to make a real push for one of the Super League franchises.

"Work's starting on a new stadium and they've got another really strong side together, bringing in players like Nathan McAvoy from Bradford and Toa Kohe Love.

"They'll be challenging at the top end of National League One and it will be a really tough test for us this weekend - but it's what we need.

"It will give us a good indication of what potentially we can expect when we come up against Whitehaven and Halifax in the Northern Rail Cup."

National League Two outfit Cougars' face those higher-division opponents in the competition that starts in two weeks' time.

Keighley, tackling their fifth pre-season game, will not risk Dave Norcross (groin) and George Rayner (groin) tomorrow, while Danny Murgatroyd is sidelined by a hamstring strain suffered in the win over Doncaster last weekend.

Neil Lowe also bruised some tendons in his hand during that game and won't be risked against Leigh but prop Andy Shickell is back after being rested against Doncaster.

Second-row Richard Knight and centre Oliver Pursglove face late fitness tests to see if they are ready for returns.

"The rain has hampered our preparations a bit as we've lost three field sessions recently," said Eaton.

"It's probably good that we organised as many friendlies as we did though because at least we've played games.

"We've probably got more out of them than we would in a single training session, so that's been valuable and we're looking for the same tomorrow.

"It's a big chance for players to show they deserve to be in that side that plays Whitehaven on February 3."

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