Cougars ace Richard Knight is delighted boss Barry Eaton persuaded him to stay at Keighley.

After weeks of friendlies, the club open their 2008 campaign for real on Sunday when they head to Whitehaven in the Northern Rail Cup.

Following a few years struggling, hopes are high this could be their breakthrough season following some major transfer activity, and talented second-rower Knight is an avid believer.

He admits he could have departed for one of Keighley's rivals over the winter but is now licking his lips ahead of the big kick-off.

"When I signed up at the end of last year, I wanted Barry to give me some guarantees that I'd be playing in a more competitive team this time around," he said.

"But he told me the players he was targeting and that impressed me.

"He's gone out and got them so I'm really pleased I did decide to stop.

"This is now a really exciting time for us all and we can't wait to get into it."

Knight, who hopes to have overcome an ankle niggle to take his place on the bus for Cumbria, added: "I think we should definitely be going for the top four or five in the league but first we've got Whitehaven in the Northern Rail.

"After all the friendlies, we're all looking forward to this.

"We know it will be hard - they are the division above - and it's probably the least exciting place to go in the first match of the competition but we're going to give them a fight.

"Then next week we can concentrate on Halifax, who we know we can turn over having done it in the past."

Eaton, meanwhile, has some big selection decisions to make with so many options now in a squad that has impressed during pre-season.

"I'll be picking a side that I feel is capable of going up there and performing to our expectations," he said.

"We've had a number of friendlies and we've done okay.

"The majority of the players that have played in the friendlies have done themselves no harm whatsoever. It will be tough to pick 17.

"The off-season has gone really, really well. We're just about ready and, after training this week, we'll be as ready as we're ever going to be."

The coach added: "Whitehaven have now got Paul Crarey as their boss.

"He was very successful at Barrow and he's inherited a bigger and better squad at Whitehaven.

"They're one of the top Co-operative National League teams and have been for a few years."