Keighley coach Keith Dixon is keen to play down the significance of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash at home to West Bowling.

His unbeaten side top the second tier by four points from Bowling but have played a game more.

Victory over their Bradford neighbours would make them odds-on favourites for the Pennine League Championship title with six games to play.

But Dixon does not want to build the occasion up. He said: “We are treating it just as a normal game.

“When the fixture came out three weeks ago, it was mentioned but has not been spoken about since.

“I just want the lads to keep their minds on what they have to do. It is a cliche but we will take it one game at a time.”

Keighley beat West Bowling 42-16 away from home in the corresponding clash in the first fixture of the season.

Now with home advantage at Rose Cottage, the Utley side will be looking to do the double but Dixon knows it will not be easy.

He said: “When we beat them it was a bit of shock to them but they have been playing well all year and have only had a couple of slip-ups.

“We have a big pitch with a slope but I’ve tried to get it into the lads’ heads that slopes don’t score points, it’s players doing their jobs right. We need the mentality of forgetting about any kind of advantage.”

Keighley have Danny Snowden (pictured) available again after the prop requested to be released from his contract with Cougars due to a lack of first-team squad opportunities.