Keighley Cougars Head Coach Barry Eaton (pictured) has polished his playing boots just in case he decides to play in the crunch Co-operative Championship One clash with league leaders Dewsbury Rams.

He’s considering making his first senior outing of the season as the Cougars who are unbeaten at home in the league this year go head-to-head on satellite television with runaway leaders Dewsbury who haven’t lost a league game in 2009.

And Dewsbury have to win to take the league title and gain automatic promotion to the Co-operative Championship next year. Nothing else on the night will do.

The last time 35-year-old Eaton picked himself for first team duties was against Barrow Raiders last year but he has kept his eye in by turning out in eight reserve team games this year.

“So much will depend on the weather conditions,” said Eaton, who is a former Dewsbury player.

“I’m not going to say what the kind of weather has to be but its definitely part of my thinking at the moment.

“One thing’s for certain I’ll leave it late before finally making up my mind and naming a team”.

The Cougar stars have been putting the finishing touches to their preparations for Thursday evening’s showdown which will feature in front of SkySports’ cameras.

Added Eaton: “The boys have trained well. In fact we’ve done some extra training. Our game against Workington Town had been postponed so we had a session last Sunday and some of us went to watch Dewsbury’s game against Oldham.

“We’ll train again tonight (Tuesday) and then have an easier day on Wednesday.

“We’re virtually free from injury at the moment, with the exception of prop forward Craig Brown who is still in rehabilitation with a broken hand, and the players are in the right frame of mind.

“What happened at the Tetley’s Stadium hasn’t really been discussed. It’s a match we can’t do anything about and we recognised a long time ago that we contributed to what happened in the game”.

Eaton is hoping that the excitement of the occasion and the prospect of a competitive match will encourage more fans than usual to make their way to Cougar Park.

“While we appreciate and want to keep the people who follow us on a regular basis, it would be great if we could attract some new supporters and then make their experience so good that they want to keep coming to our games”.

He added: “You couldn’t have asked for a better scenario, second v first; two unbeaten records at stake; the league title there for the asking for one club and a big crowd.

“What a great occasion it’ll be and we’ll be hoping to contribute to that with a better performance than we delivered at the Tetley’s Stadium last month”.

Unbeaten records, Keighley have lost 4 this seasom

At home?

Its the same team we put out against Oldham for Dewsbury game.

I don't believe that Barry has any intention of turning out and I will be highly disappointed if he is the best that we have to choose from. I hope that it's just a bit of misguided gamesmanship.

Although Keighley have nothing to lose as far as League position is concerned, knowing that he[i might [/ibe playing has done nothing for my confidence that Cougars might make up for the embarrassing performance at Dewsbury. I would rather hear that he is choosing from a fully fit squad who are raring to go to avenge their defeat and spoil Dewsbury's night.

I'm 50/50 as to whether to go or not, if he is definitely playing then I am definitely not going.

[size=75(Cue abuse - My first negative post for a long while)[/size

Full back thats disappointing the fact you decide to go depends on whether barry plays is quite sad. Barry is not playing. We go to support cougars regardles of who plays.

If he plays, I imagine he would be a target for the dews players and then they may get sent off then we may stand a chance. I would rather hear we are putting on four dedicated props, I suspect not but fingers crossed. Regardless of team though, I will be there tomorrow night.

Sorry for such a stupid question, but I am well aware of the cheerleader display, freddie push up challange and awards for the girls, but what time is teh kick off. I am guessing 7.30.

Lets hope this rain hold off tomorrow, it is a nightmare on the roads and it may cause people to be late.

Kick off is 7.30pm

Thank you Sabena

its very disappointing to here people speak about Barry like that he is the best thing that has happened to the club for long time and am sure if he plays there will be a reason behind it, and no doubt even if he got man of match scored hat rick and we lost everyone would still moan. Get behind the team instead of moaning if you wanna moan go watch scumford

well said.!!!!

Dont like Barry do you

You have to wonder who Barry is trying to send a message to with this story.

Baz to be fair, has been on top form for the reserves in the past weeks....Steve Menzies in Super League , Paul March in Championship (t****er) & others , there is no reason why Baz should not turn out on Thursday ...

His speed of thought , if not physical movement , is still far above anything we have in our current team . This is not meant as a condemnation of any of our lads, more as a celebration of Baz's ability . If that game knowledge will for one game, while his fitness still allows, give us the edge then so be it .....

Using available resources to gain a valuable victory?, we should be congratulating our coach for that not slating him .

There a few promising young players in the reserves to be honest, people should go and watch. Its very entertaining rugby

I agree Rach, it's been very interesting watching Barry in the reserves, he constantly coaches them, spotting our weaknesses and those of our opponents on the hoof. He is very vocal, leaves no doubt about what he wants and gets stuck in.

His mind is still sharp but IMO his agility is suspect for first team action in good playing conditions.

I would imagine that he may be considering what might happen if it pee's it down. I could see Dewsbury forwards repeatedly targeting a certain member of our squad trying to trample him into the mud!

I feel that people who say they wont turn up if Barry is playing, and then publicly say that on this forum are doing him a great disservice. But then that is their choice. I think Barry will only pick himself, if in the prevailing conditions, he believes it is in the best interests of the team.

Dewsbury have been consistently good this year and if we are to have any chance we will have to match them across the park not in just one position.

This could be a very interesting game and a severe test of how we respond to pressure. Just hope we put on a good show for the telly.

I think if Baz plays tomorrow night is a good thing. Experianced head on the pitch to make sure the lads dont freeze infront of the cameras. Not only that he might have 1 or 2 tricks up his sleeve. Wont say what I think they will be, but anyone watched the reserves the last 2 weeks will know what I mean.

Agreed. Not only that, they too are well up in the table & are in with a shout of the playoffs.

I watch the reserves and have seen Barry play. He's does ok at that level but playing against an unbeaten Dewsbury side who stuffed us at their ground and who are ready to celebrate winning the League title on Sky television, is a different prospect.

The team performance away was embarrassing and the balls are in the air as to which Cougar team is going to turn up tonight. We all know that they can be Jekyll or Hyde. My point is that Barry is not an established first team member and certainly not an ex Aussie international and as such to suggest that he could turn out tonight does nothing for my confidence. He is the Coach of the team, not a first team regular and I ask why he feels it necessary to consider that he is the best (presumably) scrum half available.

I won't be "not going" because he is playing, I will be "not going" because he has made it sound like there are problems in the camp and the solution is for the Coach to get his boots on. Anyone remember those not too far off days when the bus driver turned out to make the numbers up?

I watch rugby all over the country at all levels (including Scumford) and I don't blindly follow Cougars just because I do. I'll be shouting them on from my sofa and when the mood takes me I will turn the telly off and go to the pub to spend the twenty odd quid that I have saved by not going to the game.

It's certainly nothing personal to Barry and I hope that I am wrong. If he plays and has an outstanding game I will be straight on here to congratulate him.

Rach - I haven't "slated him"
Girly - read my post, I won’t be staying away because Barry is playing, I will be staying away because of what I said above, a subtle difference.
Loyalfan - I haven't "moaned" anywhere in my post
Obeone - Personality has nothing to do with it

Others - Should I apologise for having an opinion?

No need to apologise at all.
You are entitled to your opinion, like everyone else.

Some of the things you say i agree with.

He wont play (opinion) but it has created a diversion on this site at least so who knows what it might have done elsewhere.

No, but you can expect others to express their opinions about your opinions.

My opinion is that people who express opinions should not be alllowed to express opinions about opinions unless they are own opinions and the opinion of others opinions!

I totally agree and I hope that you and everyone else does as well.

I like opinion especially when I'm cooking. I'll get my coat........