CARL FORSTER feels like his North Wales Crusaders side is about to come out of another pre-season.

It’s been three weeks since the Crusaders last stepped out on to the pitch, but they will finally return to action with Sunday’s League One showdown at home to Keighley Cougars.

Head coach Forster told CruCast: “Gave the lads a little bit of time off and we were back in last week.

“It felt a little bit like pre-season all over again, but hopefully we’re better for it.”

A knee injury will keep Owain Abel out of action on Sunday.

Abel sustained the injury an hour into last month’s 22-14 loss at Hunslet, which was Crusaders’ last run-out.

“Owain Abel has not trained since the Hunslet game,” added Forster.

“I think we’ve got a scan early next week on Owain, so we’ll obviously leave that one to the side for a little bit.

“I think we won’t see Owain for quite a while, but hopefully we get some good results from the scan and we can move forward.”

More positive news could be forthcoming surrounding another couple of players, though.

Forster said: “We’re hoping Matt Reid, Ben Evans will be back for this weekend.

“We’ve not ruled them in just yet, but we’ve certainly not ruled them out.

“So, they had a full week’s training last week and it was a pretty tough week, to be fair.

“So, we’ll see how they react this week and get a little bit tougher again and do a bit of contact with them. So, we’re hoping to see them two back in on Sunday.”

Crusaders have won three and lost three of their six matches in the league this season and they currently find themselves in seventh place in the table.

Forster’s outfit have games in hand over the majority of the sides ahead of them, while Keighley sit second following their promising start to the campaign.

It’s just over a month since North Wales last met the Cougars, with Keighley recording a 22-6 win to end Crusaders’ unbeaten start to the season.

Forster added: “I think we’ll just have to look at our last game against Keighley, where they were better than us and where they got us.

“And obviously look into their Hunslet game that they played and if it’s the same game plan, it’s the same game plan.

“If it looks a little different on second viewing, then we’ll change things up and, obviously, we’ll go there with the right plan to try and win the game.”

Cornwall will be looking to build on their stunning win over Midlands Hurricanes when they host unbeaten leaders Oldham on Sunday.

Hurricanes have home advantage versus Newcastle Thunder, while Workington Town pay a visit to Rochdale Hornets.