RIKKI Sheriffe will put any possible surgery on hold until the end of the season as he closes in on a return to Cougars’ promotion bid.

The 31-year-old back, who has a wealth of experience in Super League and has also played in rugby union’s Aviva Premiership, suffered a badly torn pectoral muscle during the pre-season friendly defeat to Hunslet on February 14.

It was a major setback to the player and to head coach Paul March, but former Bradford Bulls star Sheriffe is confident of being back in action in early April.

His return could coincide with that of his younger brother Jode, who has been a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.

Rikki said: “I tore my major pectoral muscle in the Hunslet game and it was quite a bad one.

“Hunslet made a break on the far side of the field and I tracked back, put my arm out and overstretched it.

“At first I thought I had dislocated my shoulder but I hadn’t and the next day it was discovered I had torn my left pec.

“But hopefully I am going to be able to play on without having an operation until the end of the season, when I could have an operation then.

“I’m looking to be back by the start of April, by which time Jode should be fully recovered from his Achilles injury, so the two games against Oxford would be great ones to come back for.

“Jode and I are looking to come back together and that would be fantastic because it was one of the main reasons I came to Keighley – to play with Jode and Jesse.

“I don’t need motivating because I want to outdo my brothers, but in a good way because we push each other.

“It would have been the same when Paul and David March played, and now it’s similar with Darren and Ritchie Hawkyard here at Keighley.

“You want to play well for yourself and your team but also for your brothers.

“I’ve been 'rehab-ing' like mad and started running for the first time on Tuesday.

“When Jode comes back, it will be like having a new player, especially with Tyler (Dickinson) going back to Huddersfield.

“It’s going to be tough to get back in because the lads are playing well, but I feel like I earned my spot last year and have just got to work hard in training and try and get back in the team.”

Cougars opened their league campaign with a thumping win at South Wales Scorpions last Sunday and Doncaster are the visitors to Cougar Park this weekend.

Josh Lynam is also expected to return later this month following the knee injury he suffered against Wath Brow Hornets last month.

Sheriffe added: “This is the best year to try and get promoted because the sides who have come down aren’t anything special.

“We were second best to the team who went up last season in Oldham, so I think we will go strong again.

“Toulouse are the ones to be wary of because we don’t know much about them.

“As long as we stick to the game-plan and do the little things right, I’ve got every confidence that we can beat anyone on our day. I think promotion is ours to lose.

“Doncaster this week will be a great test for the lads, but I think they will come through it.

“We’ve got some really good halves in Brooky (Adam Brook) and Tiger (Paul Handforth) and a good forward pack.

“Even without me, the backline are doing their job, so everyone seems to be firing.

“We’re all under pressure to get our spots back and I’ll be in the same position too.

“Centre is my favoured position but if Marchy needs me to play full back or wing then it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Meanwhile, Paul March and his players paid a special tribute to former team-mate

Danny Jones after their win at Scorpions last week on the day that he would have turned 30.

The Cougars boss said: "Jonesy is always in our thoughts and we spoke about it as we came off the field. Jonesy loved a pint of Guinness and we all got one to toast his birthday after the game."