Keighley Cougars’ should hand debuts to four of their off-season signings in their opening pre-season trial game.

Although Chris Baines is ruled out, Tom Burton, Sam Crowther, Richard Jones and Craig Moss will all feature at Hunslet Hawks on Sunday, 2pm.

Baines is sidelined following a hernia operation, while Ryan Benjafield also misses out after undergoing work on his knee.

The only other doubt for the game is Andy Shickell, who has a slight knee injury picked up during pre-season training.

Head coach Barry Eaton believes Sunday’s clash at South Leeds Stadium will be vital in helping to integrate new arrivals with returning players.

He said: “A Christmas fixture wasn’t something I was originally planning but we were offered the game and we decided it would be the ideal opportunity to give the new players a game.

“We would’ve trained Sunday anyway but you can get far more out of a game.

“The players have been training really well and I’m sure they’ll be glad of the chance for a hit-out too.

“We won’t be 100 per cent prepared for the game but it also gives me an idea of how much the returning players have kept on from last year.

“Most of the squad will be involved, although Ryan Benja-field and Chris Baines are injured. Andy Shickell has a niggle in his knee that’s an impact injury suffered during weights.”

Eaton has not suffered any disruption to his continued recruitment drive despite the club’s recent financial worries but admitted he was relieved the problems had finally been resolved.

The club entered administration on Friday and a new company was set up in a move designed to secure their financial future.

“We’ve been kept fully aware all the way through,” said Eaton. “There’s nothing like the pleasure of seeing it finalised and we can move forward now.”

Eaton’s Australian target, who has Queensland Cup experience, is expected in the country on January 5 and will meet with the Cougars chief the following day.

It is also hoped the Irish international who has been in talks with the club will come over to play in the club’s January trial games.