DEAN Muir says Keighley Cougars are now counting down the days until their big derby day kick-off in Betfred League One next season.

The Cougars' first-team assistant head coach added the new-look squad are ready for a third tier promotion assault in 2020 after finishing last season second from bottom.

Cougars will get their league campaign under way with a mouth-watering derby at home to Hunslet on Sunday, February 16. The corresponding fixture during the 2019 season was a feisty affair on the pitch, with players' tempers flaring.

Rhys Lovegrove's side will make their first away trip of the season to Workington on March 1 before heading to relegated Rochdale Hornets seven days later.

There then follows a tough run of matches against Doncaster (home), Barrow (home) and Newcastle (away).

Cougars' last league fixture is at Doncaster on Sunday, September 6.

There is renewed optimism at Cougar Park following a flurry of close season signings including Jake Webster from Bradford Bulls and the return of fans' favourite Ritchie Hawkyard following a year at Oldham Roughyeds.

Muir said: "It's always nice to have a good first game. The fans will enjoy it being at home. It's always nice to be at home first.

"Hunslet will be a tough test. Playing Hunslet will give us a bit of a measure to where we are and where we can improve.

"This league is tough and every game brings different challenges.

"It doesn't matter who we are playing, we have to play everybody, it doesn't really bother us. We will respect everybody we play.

"We need to get promoted. We want to be extremely competitive."

Muir says he has seen an intense and competitive edge to pre-season training after the Cougars started their preparations for the Hunslet game earlier this month.

He added: "We didn't have a pre-season before last season, so it's completely different.

"The intensity is massive. The players have really bought into it. The playing squad sacrifice a lot.

"I would say to the fans next season come and see our exciting brand of rugby league, that's the way Rhys wants to play. Tough and uncompromising.

Meanwhile, Cougars will be entering the 2020 Challenge Cup at the third round stage.

The third round will be played over the weekend of February 8 and 9, meaning Cougars' tie will also serve as the club's first competitive game of the season.

Cougars have introduced a new membership card which will reduce the price of their matchday tickets by 20 per cent for the upcoming season which starts in February.

The card will cost a one off fee of £15 and will mean adults now only have to pay £12 for entry, while concessions will pay £8 per home matchday.

After finishing in 10th place last term, the Betfred League One side will be aiming for promotion after recruiting the likes of Jake Webster and the returning Ritchie Hawkyard in the off-season.

Full fixture list

FEBRUARY

Sun 16 HUNSLET H

MARCH

Sun 1 Workington Town A

Sun 8 Rochdale Hornets A

Sun 22 DONCASTER H

Sun 29 BARROW RAIDERS H

APRIL

Sun 12 Newcastle Thunder A

Sun 26 West Wales Raiders A

MAY

Sun 3 NW CRUSADERS H

Sat 16 London Skolars A

Sun 24 COVENTRY BEARS H

JUNE

Sun 14 Barrow Raiders A

Sun 21 NEWCASTLE THUNDER H

Sun 28 ROCHDALE HORNETS H

JULY

Sun 5 Coventry Bears A

Sun 12 LONDON SKOLARS H

Sun 26 WORKINGTON TOWN H

AUGUST

Sun 2 NW Crusaders A

Fri 7 Hunslet A

Sun 16 WEST WALES RAIDERS H

SEPTEMBER

Sun 6 Doncaster A