Whitehaven's Carl Forster has been laid low by a viral infection but hopes to be well enough to see his side in action at Keighley tomorrow.

Forster had always planned to sit this one out and watch his new squad take on the Cougars but not through illness.

“I’m expecting to be recovered enough to be there and, like everybody else, I’m looking forward to seeing us in action again," he said.

“The lads have really acquitted themselves well in the build-up to the programme of friendlies and I’m pleased that we are going to be tested.

"I saw Keighley last weekend and, although they were only playing amateurs, I feel they are strong enough to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

Forster made particular reference to three of the new recruits who have been outstanding in the training programme so far.

“Jake Moore, Kurt Maudling and Aiden Worthington have come from different backgrounds but I have been really impressed with the way they have knuckled down and tackled the training we’ve put in place," he added.

“I’ve said from the start that I want competition for places and I think that is going to be the case.

"Players have to earn the shirt and they will all get chances before we play the first competitive game."

As well as Forster, players not involved at Keighley will be Karl Olstrum, who is carrying a ban from his time at Workington Town, Scott McAvoy, still recovering from a knee operation, and Troy Armstrong, who is also coming back from an operation.

Dave Allen would have also missed out as he was a late returnee from Ireland international duty but there has been a change of plan and he will be involved.

Forster plans to use everybody at some point with about 22 players getting a run-out against the Cougars, who scored 16 tries last week against the amateurs of Hunslet Warriors.