Cougars are not about to ease up, even though their place in the Northern Rail Cup knock-out stages is virtually secure.

It would take an unlikely sequence of results to deny Barry Eaton’s side a quarter-final spot but that does not make Sunday’s trip to Barrow any less important.

Keighley sit top of Pool One with three wins from three ahead of their final group game against last year’s Co-operative Championship winners.

Eaton would love nothing more than to maintain his side’s 100 per cent record and knows a win against their divisional rivals would do wonders for Cougars’ confidence.

He said: “It would be a big boost. That’s the way we are looking at it.

“It’s still mathematically possible for us not to reach the quarter-finals but there would have to be a few very unlucky scorelines and we’d have to get panned at Barrow.

“We’re hoping to go there and give a good account of ourselves and we will go there confident.”

But Eaton is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task, knowing Raiders have to win their final two group games to qualify for the knock-out stages themselves.

“That’s one reason why we’ve got to be ready for Barrow to be at their best,” said Eaton.

“They lost narrowly at Widnes last weekend so they’ll need to beat us to qualify.

“If we go there, play well and control the ball, we may be able to get a result.”

Mindful of the fact his own side’s league campaign begins on February 28 at Widnes, Eaton could make changes to his team this week in a bid to get more players game-time.

Cougars face a challenging season ahead when squad resources will be tested to the limit and Eaton wants to ensure all his players are ready to be called on when needed.

Daley Williams remains a doubt for the trip to Barrow after missing out against Workington, while Danny Jones will be monitored after leaving the field on Sunday with an elbow injury, although it is not thought to be serious.