COUGARS chairman Gary Fawcett has revealed a third party may be prepared to fund a litigation battle for them against the Rugby Football League.

His club are seeking financial compensation following the decision to reinstate Batley's docked points for fielding an ineligible player - resulting in Keighley's relegation which Fawcett estimates will cost them up to £250,000 in lost revenue.

But the Cougars chief admits he does not want to plough all funds into a legal fight at the expense of signing new players.

However, he said the possibility of their case being funded by an outside source was currently being explored.

Speaking on Tuesday, Fawcett said: "I have spoken to our legal advisor Richard Cramer and he is speaking to a barrister for another view point on the case with a view to a third party being prepared to fund the litigation.

"However, that third party would be entitled to a percentage of any winnings.

"We do have a dilemma in that money is needed to spend on players to help us come back up."

Meanwhile, Fawcett's quest to force an extraordinary general meeting over the ineligibility saga remains ongoing.

He said he had the backing of Sheffield, Barrow and Hunslet and was hoping to enlist the support of Wakefield with a view to sending off his request to the RFL by the end of this week.