Kingstone Press Championship Preview: Halifax v Keighley Cougars

Steve Tyrer (shoulder) is ruled out as Halifax prepare for Thursday’s Kingstone Press Championship showdown with local rivals Keighley Cougars.

Halifax coach Karl Harrison insists his side can still secure a top-two finish, with last week’s 32-14 win against Sheffield Eagles a crucial result in their quest to catch Featherstone Rovers on the league ladder.

Harrison said: “It keeps the pressure on the clubs around us in the table. You have to be in there at the end of the season, and we are getting there.”

But Keighley coach Paul March is also in confident mood after watching his team win 48-6 against Rochdale Hornets.

March said: “I’m happy with where we are. We’ve moved up to sixth, but the whole league is very tight. We’ll keep building, but everybody’s taking points off everybody and it’s one of the toughest seasons I’ve been involved in.

“Our team spirit is getting us through some games when we have to grind them out. We’ve got a big task on Thursday.”

Danny Jones (hamstring) is a major doubt for the Cougars after coming off early in Sunday’s match against Rochdale.