HEAD COACH Gary Thornton ruled out any kneejerk reaction ahead of tomorrow's do-or-die showdown with arch-rivals Hunslet - instead keeping faith with the side and structures that took York City Knights to top spot.

Thornton admitted contemplating making changes in the immediate aftermath of the Knights' defeat by Oldham in last week's opening play-off tie having been second best in all departments.

But he quickly wiped such thoughts away, with his only alteration being a recall for Ryan Backhouse in place of crocked second-row Ryan Mallinder.

"I thought there was no point making a kneejerk reaction," said Thornton.

"I could have changed one or two things. I thought about the pivots, and bringing Jonny Presley or Benn Hardcastle in - both have been unlucky really. Harry Carter could have come into it (at hooker) but he has suffered a recurrence of a hand injury anyway.

"Then there's Jack Pickles who has trained well, but it would be a big task after he hasn't played much (due to injury earlier in the year).

"However, I've got faith in the players to go out and show what they're all about. This team got us to the top of the league, showing they're the best team in the league. There's quality in there. They can do the business."

Backhouse had been omitted last week despite playing in each of the Knights' preceding 13 matches, helping them set a club record ten straight wins. He returns to the bench tomorrow, with Josh Tonks starting in place of Mallinder, who broke a finger last week.

"I think Ryan (Backhouse) would have come back in anyway," said Thornton. "It was a tough call to leave him out after the way he was playing.

"He seems to do a lot of best work when he's come off the bench so that's maybe his forte."

The Knights beat Hunslet three times in the league campaign, including a 20-18 comeback win that effectively sealed the league leaders' shield, with the Hawks finished second. Both sides, though, have since lost in the play-offs to Oldham who await the winners of tomorrow's tie in nextt week's Headingley Grand Final.

Thornton said: "Last Sunday proved league form goes out of the window in play-off football.

"We're no better or worse off because of those three wins. It's about who performs on the day. We're good enough to beat anyone in this division, as we've proved, but in games like this you have to play to your best.

"If it's a case of who wants it most, we have to make sure it's us and prove it.

"I'm sure Hunslet will be confident after their convincing win over Gateshead but it's a pressure game for both sides. They've got a lot of experience in there - David March, Richard Moore - which should help them, but our boys have just got to go and match them, go toe to toe with them, execute well and take opportunities.

"In previous big games this year against Hunslet and Oldham when we've had to play well we have done. There's no reason why we can't do so again."

He added: "It's a one-off game and anything can happen. There is some trepidation because we didn't play well last week but the lads are chomping at the bit to put it right.

"Two games in five weeks wasn't great preparation going into the play-offs. Getting that game last week makes us better prepared coming into this one.

"We know we under-performed. But nobody has been sulking and training has been really good.

"A few big (refereeing) calls went against us and we didn't play well, and we still weren't far away. So what will happen when we play well?"

l Benn Hardcastle has penned a deal with Gateshead Thunder to return to the club for 2015. The half-back struggled to nail down a regular spot at York this year ahead of Pat Smith and Ben Reynolds and enjoyed a successful spell back on loan with the Tynesiders, helping them to finish fourth.

Knights (probable): Haynes, B Dent, Minikin, Ford, Saltonstall, Reynolds, P Smith, Roche, Lee, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Paterson. Brining, Brennan, Bell, Backhouse.

Hunslet (possible): Watson, Duffy, Maun, Brickwood, Duckworth, T Coyle, Ansell, Moore, March, Houston, Oakes, Lyons, Mackay. Subs: from Haley, Hood, Briscoe, Reed, Hardbottle.

Referee: George Stokes (St Helens).