Keighley chairman Sam Griffin insists the team are in buoyant mood ahead of their crunch SSE Yorkshire Division One clash at home to Bridlington on Saturday.

The Rose Cottagers have been hit by yet more injury problems, with news that influential centre Marco Ferrazzano is out for the rest of the season with a double fracture of his jawbone.

The powerhouse back picked up the injury during a tackle in Keighley’s victory at Acklam last time out and will be out for five months.

He is replaced by Liam McGee – brother of full back Danny – who lives in Reading but is making the trip up north to help out.

In a further blow, forward Stuart Inman is out with a knee injury, having just returned from being sidelined with a shoulder problem, while the unavailable Sam Walker is replaced by utility back Olly Mitchell.

It would be easy for Keighley to feel sorry for themselves but the mood is upbeat after a series of victories that have re-ignited hopes of survival.

The Utley outfit are just two points behind third-from-bottom Pontefract with a game in hand.

Griffin said: “Marco is a big loss but the mood in the camp is buoyant and we are in good spirits. Bridlington is a vital game and one we have targeted.

“We should have won in a gale at their place but they are no mugs. They are a decent rugby-playing side and we will have to concentrate.”

Keighley (home to Bridlington): D McGee; L Carter, A Ebbrell, L McGee, O Mitchell; A Brown, I Woodwiss; C Spencer, W Armitage, P Sinfield, D Iliff, J Walker, S Minikin, D Pullen, L Sugden, Replacements: S Booker, J Hannah, L Everett.