KEIGHLEY Cougars will be missing a key player for the start of the season, having agreed to loan Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e to Sheffield Eagles.

Experienced full-back Laulu-Togaga’e, who arrived at Cougar Park from Newcastle Thunder in August 2020, has returned to his former club as injury cover for former Cougars star Josh Guzdek.

The deal between Keighley and Championship side Sheffield is for an initial period of 28 days and will be reviewed thereafter depending on the respective clubs’ situations at that point in time.

But that initial period away means he will definitely miss Cougars' opening two League 1 games, away to Oldham and at home to Doncaster.

The full-back cannot play in Sheffield’s Challenge Cup tie away at North Wales this afternoon, but he will be available for selection beginning with their trip to Whitehaven in the Championship next weekend.

Joining Cougars ahead of the 2021 season, ‘QLT’ quickly made headlines in Keighley colours after playing alongside his son Phoenix, before the latter made the move to Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers.

Despite a knee injury that brought a premature end to his year, Laulu-Togaga’e still managed to score seven tries in 12 appearances, as the Cougars secured a fourth place finish and their first play-offs appearance since 2015.

Cougars said they wish Laulu-Togaga’e all the best during his period away in South Yorkshire.