The Keighley Cougars, who have won all four of their pre-season friendlies, face their biggest test yet when they travel to Leigh Centurions on Sunday.

Cougars' head coach Barry Eaton said: "By playing Leigh we'll then know what we can expect when we play National League One teams Whitehaven and Halifax in the National Rail Cup.

"Leigh have full-time professional players. They're a far cry from our club in Keighley."

Leigh are a club with big ambitions, as Eaton said: "They aspire to be in the Super League in the next few years."

Construction of brand new stadium near Leigh's current ground, Hilton Park, is under way.

Leigh have also applied for a franchise, which Eaton said is a new Super League requirement for clubs wanting to secure promotion to the league.

Eaton said that franchised clubs must produce a sound business plan, which helps them to avoid problems like administration.

While the Cougars may not have their eye on the Super League, Eaton said he wants to establish Keighley as a strong club in the National Leagues.

From the performances so far in pre-season, Eaton's pro-activeness in signing players has allowed his squad to gel early on.

The only player not to be signed before November 15 was winger James Hutchinson, whose performances in the first four friendlies won him a contract at the club.

With two pre-season games yet to play, Eaton added: "Everybody is doing so well at the moment, I essentially have two full-strength sides."

Eaton is still planning to use at least 21 players this Sunday.

"I want to give as many people the opportunity to get game time as possible."

However one person who won't feature this weekend is Eaton himself, who also has not played in the last two friendlies.

He said the play of his two new half backs, Jermaine Wray and Danny Jones, as well as his two other half backs, Adam Mitchell and Craig Fawcett, is keeping the coach on the sidelines.

Last Sunday Eaton said fringe players Jason Dubias-Fisher and Karl Smith both had good games. But he added that new signing Neil Lowe was particularly impressive.

"Neil had a devastating game. Doncaster couldn't handle him."

He also said that Matt Foster had a good all round game in his testimonial, playing 80 minutes.

"Matt certainly enjoyed the day and the night. It was good to pay tribute to him but the team also put it a good performance as well."

In this Sunday's game, Eaton is hoping Richard Knight and Oliver Pursglove will return after injuries. He also will play Andy Shickell, who was rested against Doncaster.

The Cougars' match at Hilton Park kicks off at 3pm.