CRAIG Lingard has challenged his new recruits to make an early mark in Cougars' first pre-season friendly on Sunday (2pm).

The head coach is looking forward to his opening game at the helm when Keighley host amateur outfit Hunslet Warriors.

He is hoping fans turn out in force for the first chance to witness his new team in action following a comprehensive overhaul of the playing squad.

Lingard said: “It should give fans an idea of what we’ve been working on in training, what sort of rugby we want to play and what sort of personnel we’ve got.

“We’re not going to risk anyone who is not 100 per cent fit but it should be a decent enough team and it is a chance for the new players to put a marker down for the first league game.”

Lingard will be looking to give as many of his new faces as possible an opportunity against the National Conference League Division One side.

Nathan Kitson and Ritchie Hawkyard are unavailable while Neil Cherryholme and Will Milner are out with injuries.

But Lingard is set to field at least two trialists, with centre Adam Ryder, who has played with student side Great Britain Pioneers, and winger/full back Callum Dunne, formerly of Halifax, likely to play at least 40 minutes.

Fellow trialist James Pickering has sustained a hamstring injury so won’t feature this weekend but will hope to impress Lingard in the latter friendlies.

Hooker Sean Kelly is set to feature, having recovered from a long-term knee injury.

Lingard said: “Sean has been out for 18 months and it is the ideal opportunity for him to gain confidence in his veins and get minutes under his belt.”