Eaton confident over injury doubts

Keighley duo Ollie Pursglove and Jamaine Wray both failed to take part in Tuesday’s training session after suffering knee injuries against Sheffield, but Cougars coach Barry Eaton remains confident that they will play on Sunday.

Eaton said: “More than anything it was a precautionary decision for them not to train.”

Eaton added: “Last week was a courageous win for us and we showed some real composure to get ourselves into a winning position.”

Greg Nicholson (broken ribs) is Keighley’s only confirmed absentee from Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup quarter-final.

On York, Eaton said: “We’ve had some really tough tussles with them over the last couple of years.

“I’ve not seen anything of them this year, and they’ve probably changed a little bit because they’ve got a few different personnel in there.

“Chris Thorman is pivotal for them. They’ve been hit and miss, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that he came back in to the side at the weekend and they knocked Blackpool off.

“We’re totally giving them the utmost respect and preparing ourselves for a massive challenge.”

Jordan Ross (ankle) is set to miss the trip to Cougar Park but York director of rugby Dave Woods is hopeful that Paul Stamp, Richard Blakeway and Steve Lewis could return to action.

Dennis Tuffour could also feature after York agreed a one-month loan deal with Hull.