Preview: Rochdale Hornets v Keighley Cougars

Andy Saywell (shin) and John Cookson (calf) are Rochdale Hornets’ biggest doubts as coach John Stankevitch looks to maintain the momentum from last week’s 49-18 win over Whitehaven.

Hornets host third-placed Keighley Cougars in Sunday’s Co-operative Championship One clash.

Stankevitch said: “They’ve made their intentions clear this year and they’ve got every right to because they’ve got a pretty good side and a coach who’s played at the highest level and knows his stuff.

“However, we’re a completely different team to when we faced them earlier in the year.

“Psychologically it’s an important fixture for us because we believe we’re really strong at home.”

Australian prop Brendan Rawlins (ankle) is almost certainly out for the Cougars.

Coach Jason Demetriou explained: “Brendan hurt himself in training and he may have fractured his ankle, but we’ll find out on Thursday.”

Tom Burton (shoulder) is still up to a fortnight away from a return to action, but Craig Moss is set to play after recovering from a fractured eye socket.

Demetriou said: “It was good to have last week off and give the chance for a few boys to freshen up.

“A lot of them are working 40-hour weeks, then doing 12 hours’ training, and then playing at the weekend. Having the odd week off really helps.”

On Rochdale, he added: “I said at the start of the year I expected them to do well, and I’m not surprised to see them going well.”