RYAN Wright is looking forward to learning from Cougars legend James 'Buster' Feather.

Wright, who made his first appearance in Keighley colours in last weekend's friendly defeat at Barrow, is one of three hookers in Craig Lingard's squad, along with Nathan Conroy and Joe Lumb.

And he is hoping that Feather – who is now on the Cougars coaching staff after retiring last year – has plenty to teach him as he looks to nail down a starting spot when the League One programme begins next month.

"Every club you go to, there's going to be a bit of competition," said Wright, who signed from Doncaster in the off-season.

"Everyone offers something a little bit different – you've just got to rip in, back yourself and have that edge over the other boys.

"Buster has been around for years. I've played against him since I was a kid at Dewsbury, and then when I moved on to Doncaster.

"He's been here for years and he's an experienced player. Hopefully he can look to hand some of that experience down to us now."

But Wright is also excited to work with head coach Lingard, who he cites as playing the biggest role in bringing him to the club.

"I was impressed with his enthusiasm and where he wants to take the club," he said.

"He's got a good plan in place and the team he has, that pretty much sold it to me.

"I knew a few of the boys down here already, and I think the team play the way that I want to play and it will suit my game really well."

Wright is also hoping for some consistency at Cougar Park after a frequent turnover of coaches during his last few years.

He's looking to get that with Lingard at the helm, the Keighley chief having already committed himself to the club until the end of next year.

The restructure of the season – with sides playing each other home and away – is also something he thinks will benefit him.

"I've been a bit unfortunate in the last few years as they've been quite unbalanced with coaching," Wright said.

"I'm really looking forward to hopefully having a settled year and trying to make my mark here.

"Playing at Doncaster last year, the league was a little mixed up with weeks off and that too. But with the restructure this year, we'll be playing week in, week out.

"It's a big year for everyone, but especially us. We want to be up there and the end goal is being back in the Championship."