Rising star Ben Stead has set his sights on becoming a fixture in the Cougars first team heading into their key home clash with Workington.

Paul March’s side slipped to the bottom of the Kingstone Press Championship after being thumped 62-12 at Leigh on Sunday.

The result increased their relegation fears and the importance of tonight’s televised match against eighth-placed Workington, who lie just four points above Keighley.

Yet the 11-try thumping also marked Stead’s senior first-team debut and he impressed by claiming the Cougars’ only two scores, both converted by half-back partner Scott Leatherbarrow.

Now the 20-year-old scrum half from Riddlesden wants to cement his place in the side as March’s men bid to kick-start their climb to safety.

March held talks with chairman Gary Fawcett on Tuesday over the club’s current dire situation and has pushed through the permanent signing of former loanee Elliott Cosgrove from Dewsbury in time for him to play tonight.

Reflecting on his debut at the weekend, Stead admitted that playing in the Championship was a huge step from playing in the under-20s, for whom he has regularly impressed this season.

“It was good for me to get a break in the first team after working hard for a while,” he said.

“Getting two tries was a bonus and it was definitely more demanding than playing for the under-20s. It’s a lot faster and a lot more physical but I felt I did all right.

“I was a bit nervous beforehand but more excited really. I had been waiting a long time to make my debut.

“Could I play a few more games now? I’d like to think so. Marchy makes the decisions and knows what’s best for the team but I’ll just keep working hard.

“I enjoyed playing alongside Scott (Leatherbarrow) on Sunday. He’s a great player and has a lot of experience coming from Wigan.”

Stead, who can also play stand-off and hooker, suffered a fractured eye socket and nose in a collision during a full-contact session during pre-season in December.

It left the Cougars scholarship product needing surgery at Bradford Royal Infirmary and having to wear a protective nose-piece.

Stead said: “It set me back a fair bit and I was out for two months, so missed the start of the season. But to have played first team now is fantastic.

“I need to keep my feet on the ground and have a lot of support from my family but I definitely want to play more games.

“I’ve got a lot of ambition and would like to play at a higher level. But at the moment I’m focusing on my studies (sport, exercise and nutrition at Leeds Trinity).”

Stead is under no illusions as to the importance of tonight’s contest, adding: “There has been a good atmosphere in training this week.

“There are still games to try and drag ourselves out of trouble but we need to start doing it and this game is huge.”

The Cougars’ under-20s side lost 60-16 at home to Featherstone last week, with Jordan Aitchison and Ethan Hawksworth touching down for the hosts.