CRAIG Lingard and Steve Gill have both returned to Keighley Cougars after their players were paid.

In a shock twist in the club's recent crisis, both men have now come back to Cougar Park after resigning last month over the unpaid wages dispute.

Lingard is back as head coach, while Gill returns as general manager after Keighley players, both past and present, have now been paid after claiming they were owed wages going back to August.

The club's staff have yet to receive unpaid wages, but the Keighley News understands club officials are working on getting this matter resolved.

Cougars have suffered an exodus of players from last season's squad - including favourites such as Ritchie Hawkyard, Scott Law and Harry Aaronson..

The club's controversial majority shareholders, Austria Holdings, still own the club.

Lingard is set to take the club's first pre-season training session tomorrow night.

A Rugby Football League spokesman confirmed Cougars remain in special measures and unable to officially sign any players, but, in the meantime, can take players on trial.

However, Lingard says he has deals lined up for 16 players to sign up for next season, with another four in the pipeline, once this restriction is lifted.

It is understood both Lingard and Gill were given reassurances conditional on their return to the club late last week and the latter will have financial control over affairs at Cougar Park.

Shane Spencer, of Austria Holdings, refused to comment when contacted by the Keighley News.

Lingard issued a rallying cry to Cougars' fans. He said: "It's a strange one to be back.

"I had a chat with Steve Gill about it all and we were getting the reassurances we need to come back.

"It's not about me, it's about the club as a whole.

"We are working behind the scenes on getting the staff paid I believe.

"Austria Holdings are still the owners and we can't change that at the moment.

"People will be annoyed and hold a grudge against them.

"We have come back to give it a go."