Cougars chief Barry Eaton’s on-pitch preparations are continuing ‘full steam ahead’ as the club waits to learn their off-field fate.

Tomorrow is D-day for the Co-operative Championship newcomers’ future when a decision will be made on their application to enter administration.

If they are given the green light, the Cougars would avoid a winding-up order served on them by HM Revenue and Customs as a result of unpaid tax debts.

Should Keighley Cougars (2001) Ltd be put into administration, it would signal a fresh start, with new directors waiting in the wings to take over at Cougar Park and a new company already registered with Companies House.

But despite uncertainty off the field, head coach Eaton and his players have continued undeterred on it.

Eaton said: “We’ve got a friendly at Hunslet in less than two weeks so it’s full steam ahead for the new season.

“We’ve been keeping the players fully aware of the ongoing situation and they’ve dealt with it well.

“The only real talk has been about the possible points deduction next year but, if and when that happens, we will sit down and discuss it.

“They have even talked about using it as a motivational tool.

“We are getting prepared to hit the ground running. Ryan Benjafield and Chris Baines won’t feature in our first friendly but everyone else should be available.

“It will be a great chance for our other four new signings to get used to structures and calls.”

Eaton has also pressed ahead with efforts to further strengthen his squad ahead of the new season, which starts with a Northern Rail Cup clash at Blackpool on January 31.

“I’m having further discussions with our Australian target tomorrow,” said Eaton.

“He’s coming over here on January 5 and I have been on to the RFL to gain clarification on his visa. If that comes back okay we will hope to sign him on for the season.

“We have also had a better look at the Irish international and I need to make contact with the player for more in-depth discussions.”

General manager Helen Carter insisted the backroom staff have also been doing their best to keep things moving forward.

She said: “While we are exploring every possible avenue to safeguard the future of the club, we would like to thank the fans for sticking with us.

“Ticket sales are still going well and any tickets bought will still be valid for the new season.”

Club officials believe a move into administration will be the best option to safeguard the future of the club and keep them competitive.

If the Cougars successfully enter administration, it would mean organising a schedule to repay a proportion of their debts deemed satisfactory by HMRC.

They would start the new Championship season with a deduction of up to nine points.

But if they are knocked back at Friday’s hearing, the club would have until January 27 to reach an alternative agreement over their debts or else risk being wound up.