Cougars are launching an urgent appeal for a new club doctor.

Matches are not allowed to take place without one and previous incumbent Richard Lawrence has left the area.

Keighley are away to Dewsbury this Sunday but the search is on to find someone in time for the home game with Toulouse on Saturday, February 19.

Though the club hope to be able to draw on a reserve pool if necessary, Cougars football manager Jeremy Crowther stressed the importance of finding a new permanent replacement quickly.

He said: “We are desperately in need of a new local doctor.

“There is a pool of reserve doctors and we could borrow another club’s if they haven’t a home game.

“But the season has started and Super League kicks off this weekend and we could be lucky if we get one.”

Crowther added: “It is a paid position for just a few hours on home match-days.”

Lawrence has moved to Wrexham after his contract at Airedale Hospital expired and is now the official club doctor at Super League club Crusaders, whom former Cougars coach Barry Eaton joined in the close season.

For further information, contact the club on 01535-606044 or Crowther on 07791663410.