Keighley will be without three key players for the trip to Workington this weekend – but Town’s director of rugby Les Ashe has warned not to underestimate the Cougars.

The trio all have to sit out the game after being handed suspensions by an RFL disciplinary committee this week.

James Feather, Josh Tonks and Hamish Barnes will all miss the trip to Derwent Park but Ashe admitted the Cougars would still be dangerous.

“I’m sure it will have some effect on them as they are three lads that have started most of their games this year,” said Ashe.

“But we have heard that they are moving quickly to try and secure a couple on dual registration to fill that gap.

“We just need to look after ourselves and make sure our game plan is right and go from there.”

Tonks was suspended for five games after being found guilty of Grade-D strikes with an arm, while Barnes was found guilty of a Grade B intentional trip and was banned for one game.

Feather used his early guilty plea against a charge of a Grade B headbutt and received one match.

The game is crucial to Workington’s hopes of remaining in the top eight ahead of the mid-season league split.

Town are currently sixth with two games remaining, Keighley at home and then a trip to the in-form York City Knights.

“This is a huge game, especially when you look at everyone else’s fixtures and factor in that we have to travel in the last week before the break.

“But I firmly believe our future is in our own hands and we don’t want to be relying on anybody else.

“If we can beat Keighley then we should be almost certain of a berth in the eights.”

Phil Joseph has returned to training this week but will face an assessment ahead of the game to see if he will feature.

But Stuart Howarth is hoping to be fit to play, after picking up a knock in last weekend’s win over London Skolars.

Cougars’ head coach Craig Lingard has injury concerns over Scott Law, Ritchie Hawkyard and Brendon Rawlins.

Sunday’s game kicks off at 3pm.