COACH Richard Agar is likely to shuffle his deck on Friday night when York City Knights visit Featherstone Rovers to complete their Arriva Trains Cup group fixtures.

The Knights' progress to the quarter-final play-offs is already assured no matter the result and, while a big victory would make it mathematically possible to leapfrog Batley for top spot and direct qualification to the last eight, such a triumph is unlikely - and the Bulldogs in any case only need a point in their match against struggling Dewsbury to confirm their place at the top.

Therefore, the Knights have little of substance to play for - apart from the desire to complete a notable hat-trick against their National League One foes, whom they narrowly beat in the reverse fixture and in the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Agar could decide to rest key players during the current hectic schedule of five games in 15 days, and has stated he is set to give other players the opportunity to stake a claim ahead of the National League Two opener at home to Chorley Lynx on Bank Holiday Monday.

The league campaign has always been the club's number one priority, and Agar told the Evening Press: "We want to give everybody a chance of being in with a shout for the Chorley game and I would say there are still a number of spots up for grabs.

"We're happy with the way the guys have been going but some other guys will get the chance to earn a shirt."

He added: "The team for Monday is far from chosen at the moment. I would say it is only half-selected."

The players who could get a run after missing out last week against Dewsbury include fit-again Mick Ramsden, fellow second-row John Smith, three-quarter Mark Stewart, utility star Mark Cain, new dad Dan Briggs at prop and winger Rob Kama.

Meanwhile, former York City Knights second-row Carl Stannard has signed trialist forms for National League One side Doncaster Dragons.

The ex-York Acorn amateur has been playing for Gateshead Thunder this season and has been rated among the most consistent performers at the Tyneside club, and, should he sign at Belle Vue, would no doubt be missed by the Knights' NL2 rivals.

Cut-price tickets are available for travel on the Knights' Supporter Club bus to Good Friday's match at Featherstone. The price for adults is £5, for concessions and under-16s it is free.

The only pick-up points are Haxby (outside Memorial Hall) at 4.45pm, Huntington Stadium at 5pm and New Lane (opposite Anthea Drive) at about 5.05pm. It will leave immediately after the match and return via the usual city centre drop-off points.

Updated: 10:48 Wednesday, April 07, 2004