CRAIG Lingard says his Keighley Cougars squad can handle the pressure of not being underdogs in their weekend cup clash.

Cougars host Cumbrian amateur side Distington, of the CARLA Iggesund League, in the Challenge Cup third round on Sunday (ko 3pm) looking to build on a commanding 40-8 victory over Coventry Bears at Cougar Park last time out.

Lingard says he was impressed by his side's display in their first Betfred League One win of the season, as they made their first two-point dent in their -12 point pre-season deduction.

He said: "We want to do as well as we can in the cup. We know we won't have an opportunity to win the Challenge Cup, but we want to get as far in it as we can and make as much money from it as we can.

"There is a little bit of pressure on us for not being underdogs, we have go to handle that. We don't know much about Distington, but it is a competitive cup game.

"We showed we can handle pressure on Sunday against Coventry. It was brilliant. The atmosphere at the club through pre-season has been really good.

"We have done well so far but Sunday's win was only one game.

"There will be trials and tribulations and bumps in the road coming up for us. There are some tough games coming up for us in the next few weeks.

"There was an official attendance of 914 at Cougar Park against Coventry, but it could have been four figures. The number of supporters certainly lifts the players. Everybody likes playing in front of big crowds. It's good to get everybody excited about Keighley again."

Lingard added his side has set their standards for the season after their dominating display against the Bears.

He said: "We have set our standards certainly defensively. It was one of the best displays since I have been at the club.

"We have proved we can defend really well. We are nowhere near the finished article."

Meanwhile, there has been a blast from the past make a welcome return to the club.

Lingard further bolstered his squad on Saturday with the signing of Harvey Hallas on an initial month's loan from Dewsbury Rams.

The front-rower/prop left Cougar Park to join the Championship side last December during the player exodus following the then off-the-field problems at the club. However, he was not registered in time to play against Coventry.

Sunday's tie will also give supporters the first chance to see the squad play in their new Danny Jones-inspired white' away kit.

It is the latest move by the new Cougars owners to make nods to the club's past.

Cougars and Wales international half-back Jones collapsed and died from an underlying heart condition while playing for his club against London Skolars in May, 2015. He was 29.