LUKE Gale has made a quicker than expected recovery from his cartilage injury, with the Keighley Cougars half-back set to play in their Challenge Cup third round tie at Hunslet tomorrow.

Gale was replaced by Billy Gaylor for Cougars' Betfred Championship at home to London Broncos last time out, the latter doing a sterling job in a 33-22 win.

Gaylor is likely to play alongside Gale this time around, with his half-back partner last weekend, Dane Chisholm, not named in the squad for this cup clash.

There is a welcome return from injury for Lloyd Roby, while Alix Stephenson could make his first competitive appearance of the season for Keighley.

Ben Crooks, Ellis Robson and Kyle Trout remain out injured for the Cougars.

Cougars head coach Rhys Lovegrove has named a strong squad for the encounter.

He is no doubt mindful that it was Hunslet who knocked his side out of the 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup, beating them 22-6 in the second round last January.