New Keighley Cougars signing Karl Gunney is in line to make his debut this weekend – against the club he has just left.

The talented Hunslet back-rower finally completed his move to Cougar Park on Tuesday night and joins for the rest of the season.

Boss Barry Eaton has included him in the sqauad versus the Hawks in Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup tie.

“Karl’s had work commitments during pre-season which is why this deal’s been so prolonged,” he said.

“But we assessed his fitness with a bleep test at training on Tuesday and he wasn’t too bad at all.

“He was up there with the rest of our forwards."

Gunney, 22, turned down the offer of a new deal at Hawks to link up with Keighley, and Eaton admitted: “We’re delighted Karl’s decided to join. He was nominated for National League Two Young Player of the Year last season, which shows he’s got good qualities.

“Karl’s indicated that he wants to build on that and take his game to another level with us.

“He feels he’s joining a successful, forward-thinking club in the Cougars and we’re pleased to have him on board.

“We’ve been a bit light in the forwards with Brendan Rawlins still awaiting his visa and Carl Hughes out with his knee ligament injury until late next month.”

Second-row Will Cartledge (hamstring) and prop Andy Shickell (calf) also picked up knocks in Sunday’s loss at Blackpool but are included in the squad.

Front-rower Craig Brown (work) is again unavailable this weekend so Gunney seems likely to come into contention.

Eaton has also selected himself in the squad after the disappointing 16-14 defeat against Panthers.

“I want to make sure players start following instructions and they didn’t do that last week,” he said.

Former Salford City Reds winger Daley Williams is also poised to make his ‘second’ debut after his broken thumb showed no adverse reactions during his first week back training.

With victory over Gateshead and defeat at Blackpool so far in Pool One, Eaton said: “We’ve spoken at length this week about how we don’t want to be an inconsistent team this season.

“We don’t want a good performance followed by an indifferent display.

“We’ve got three games now before the start of the league season and we’re aiming for three performances, starting with Hunslet.”

Meanwhile, Cougars have drawn French opposition in the Carnegie Challenge Cup for the third time in just five years.

They entertain Pia Donkeys in the third round on March 7-8.

Cougars lost 53-26 against them in France in 2005, while suffering defeat against Toulouse last season.

Cougars from: George Rayner, Sam Gardner, Dan Potter, Ollie Pursglove, Gavin Duffy, Lee Mapals, Daley Williams, Jon Presley, Danny Jones, Craig Fawcett, Andy Shickell, James Feather, Simon Bissell, Scott Law, Jermaine Wray, Will Cartledge, Neil Lowe, Greg Nicholson, Barry Eaton, Karl Gunney.