Barry Eaton is encouraging his Cougars to express themselves at tomorrow's Northern Rail 9s.

With their Championship survival bid on the back-burner until next week’s clash with Toulouse, Keighley can instead focus on providing some entertainment for their fans.

Still, Eaton is not taking the competition lightly.

In contrast to last year, the Cougars chief has named a strong squad for the trip to Fylde’s Memorial Ground and will be hoping to wrest the trophy from the grasp of holders and hosts Blackpool Panthers.

He said: “It will be a good test. Physicality is not the same in the 9s but it’s more off the cuff and encourages players to express themselves.

“We’re using it for exactly that reason and we’ll be taking the whole squad down to enjoy the experience and do some team bonding.

“It will be a more relaxed game prep environment and that’ll be good for us.

“There will be some differing squads who go down for the competition and last time we took a mixed squad in an attempt to blood some players and give them experience.

“We took it seriously but we were looking to get something slightly different out of it. This time we are definitely going out to try and win it.”

The tournament squad includes recent signing Richard Lopag, with Eaton keen to give the flying winger a chance to line-up alongside the first team.

Luke Helliwell, who agreed to make his loan spell permanent prior to last week’s transfer deadline, misses out with a knee ligament strain, while Danny Jones is a slight doubt with a dead leg.

“It’s the ideal opportunity for Richard to blood in with the first-team squad and the 9s should suit him,” said Eaton.

“Luke would’ve been playing but it’s unfortunate he’s picked up this injury.

“We’re glad he’s signed on permanently because he’s settling in really well and has been training with the first team recently.

“He’s a tough player and one who looks to go to the line and doesn’t mind a bit of contact. If players are running the right lines, he’ll put them through a few gaps.

“He will more than likely feature for the first team before the end of the season.”

Eaton has also made good headway in retaining many of the current squad for next season.

The Keighley chief rubbished rumours that Scott Law had been set to join Halifax last week and remains keen to keep his team together no matter what level they are playing at in 2011.

He said: “I’ve spoken to about 75 per cent of the squad and they have indicated to me that they are keen to stay, which shows we’re a close-knit bunch. That’s certainly pleasing from my point of view as a coach and it bodes well for the future.”

Provisional Cougars squad for Northern Rail 9s: Dan Belcher, Gavin Duffy, Tom Burton, Jonny Presley, Danny Jones, Andy Shickell, Scott Law, Ryan Benjafield, Brendon Rawlins, Chris Baines, Greg Nicholson, James Feather, Jamaine Wray, Jamie Shepherd, Richard Lopag.