HORNETS come out of "cold storage" at Keighley on Sunday with coach Darren Shaw demanding a disciplined push for a play-off place.

Sunday’s game at Cougar Park comes exactly 28 days after the team’s last outing – a hugely disappointing defeat at Swinton – as a combination of cup fixtures and remedial work on the Spotland pitch combined to cancel fixtures.

The break has allowed the medical staff to work on an injury list which had been growing by the week before the mid-season break, especially among the forwards.

As a result, Andrew Isherwood, Martin McLoughlin, Tom Brindle and David Best should all be fit for selection.

With Chris Giles moving to Australia and Janan Billings released at his own request, Hornets are happy that they have been able to extend Brett Robinson’s loan spell from Widnes.

However, fellow Viking Matt Strong was unable to agree terms and was set to return to Widnes as the Observer went to press.

Hornets currently sit on the bottom of the Co-operative Championship One table. Thanks to a nine-point deduction after the previous club went into administration, they have just two points to their name. Nevertheless, Shaw has targeted a place in the end of season play-offs.

With seven teams qualifying, Hornets need to make up 10 points on Blackpool Panthers from their remaining nine games.

"It is realistic," said Shaw, "but there is no room for error and we have to get some momentum going straight away.

"To be honest, we have beaten ourselves in all but a couple of games this season – that has cost us a lot of points and we need to start playing smart football and not shooting ourselves in the foot. The fixture list meant that we have effectively had a second pre-season but we worked hard last week and blew away the cobwebs.

"We went into the break on the back of poor displays against Hunslet and Swinton so it may have been a timely break in some ways as it allowed us to get some players fit and for some of the younger lads to get used to the drills and suchlike.

"It is in our hands – and we have done it before. Last year we got a bit of momentum going, won six on the trot and took that form into the play-offs where we won at York and Keighley.

"That’s the kind of performance I want to see again."

Hornets hold an election launch tonight offering supporters the opportunity to become members – or upgrade membership packages – in preparation for the elections which are due to be held later in the summer.

The club is owned by members, who will vote for the board, making the set-up unique within the semi-professional sport. The meeting starts at 7.30pm in the main bar at Spotland.

Membership will close at noon on Friday 10 July and re-open following a special general meeting. The election process will be fully explained on the night along with the timescales involved.

The evening will also include an interview with coach Darren Shaw who will give a review of the season so far and discuss the preparations for next season.

There will be opportunities to join the club’s lottery scheme. For as little as £1 a week, players will have the opportunity to win £500 a day. And there will be merchandise for sale with the team’s new away shirt expected to be previewed.