Cougars have bolstered their pack ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Sheffield Eagles by signing Castleford prop Nathan Massey.

The 20-year-old has joined on a dual-registration contract and will go straight into the side for the Championship clash (7.30pm).

A Tigers Academy graduate, Massey has already made seven Super League appearances and spent the end of last season on loan at Gateshead Thunder.

His arrival could not have come sooner, as Cougars have missed the bulk of Scott Law and Brendon Rawlins of late and are preparing for a gruelling run of three games in seven days over Easter.

“We’re delighted to bring Nathan in,” said head coach Barry Eaton.

“He trained with us on Tuesday night and he’s keen to get going. He comes with plenty of Super League games under his belt and will bring quality to our pack.”

His dual contract means he remains on Castleford’s books and could be recalled at short notice.

Another boost has come with the news that both Law and Rawlins are nearing a return to action.

Law is back in full training after a scan revealed he does not have a hernia injury, although tomorrow’s game will be too soon, but Rawlins (shoulder) and Dan Belcher (ankle) could both face Sheffield.

Cougars will need to utilise as many of their squad as possible, with a trip to Dewsbury following on Monday, ahead of the televised clash with Halifax next Thursday.

Eaton said: “We’ve got three games in a week, which is a potential nightmare, but we just have to embrace it and meet the challenge head on.

“We’re focused on tomorrow at the moment and then after that we’ll assess the squad for Monday and see if we need to make any changes.

“We’ll do the same for the game at Halifax too.

“We’re at home against Sheffield and whoever we play at home, we fancy our chances against.

“But they’re a good side and they deserve our respect because they finished third last season.

“Monday is a game we’re really looking forward to as we’ve both had similar starts to the season. They’ve got three points and if it wasn’t for the points deduction, we’d have two so it should be a good game.”

  • Keighley Victoria Cats take on Bradford Thunderbirds in the ladies’ Challenge Cup final on Easter Sunday at Featherstone (2pm).

Cats lost the dress rehearsal 64-6 last week.