COUGARS chairman Gary Fawcett believes the unity within Paul March’s squad will help them through their current injury crisis.

March has seen his group decimated heading into Sunday’s visit of Newcastle Thunder at Cougar Park (kick-off 3pm).

Around a dozen players could be missing for the match as Cougars bid to bounce from last weekend’s home defeat at the hands of Swinton – a result which knocked them off top after Oldham beat London Skolars.

Keighley will be without influential half-back Paul Handforth for between six and eight weeks after he tore his calf in training last week.

Jode Sheriffe will be out until next season with an Achilles injury, Sean Kelly will not play again until 2017 due to a knee injury and influential loose forward Ash Lindsay will be out with a broken leg until the back end of the play-offs.

Club captain James Feather sustained another concussion against Swinton and could be forced to miss this weekend’s match.

Scott Lee is out for up to six weeks with a fractured elbow and, although Cougars have cover at hooker, Handforth’s injury has left them light at half-back.

Young reserve-team players Liam Darville and Ben Stead could be called upon, although Cougars are seeking to bolster their squad with an experienced half-back and a centre.

Gavin Duffy (shoulder), Danny Lawton (sternum), Lewis Graham (knee), Daley Williams (jaw), Andy Gabriel (nose), Tom Courtney (head) could all miss out this weekend while Jesse Sheriffe is away on his honeymoon.

Hamish Barnes is also unavailable this weekend as he must serve a one-match ban after he submitted an early guilty plea to the charge of Grade B dangerous contact in the victory at Coventry Bears.

The absentees are another blow to the club following the untimely passing of key playmaker Danny Jones on May 3.

Fawcett said: “The club has had an unprecedented time with injuries over the past two to three months.

“I wouldn’t wish it on any club and the loss of one of our best players in Danny has been further compounded by a series of long-term injuries.

“But the squad have shown a togetherness ever since May 3 and the new boys have come in and merged into the team well.

“I’m sure that the team itself will actually work through this and welcome back the guys as and when they come back.”

Player-coach March spoke of his disappointment at being without Handforth following the tragic loss of Jones in May.

March said: “To lose both your half-backs in the same season is a massive disadvantage for any team but it’s just another hurdle to jump.”