YORK City Knights skipper Lee Jackson has stressed the need for professionalism ahead of tonight's Bootham Crescent battle.

Gateshead Thunder, hammered 56-24 at the Thunderdome in the first meeting between the two sides, have proved to be one of the weaker teams in the competition and are expected to struggle in National League Two.

But the former Great Britain international has warned that his side need to treat the game with as much respect as they did the Challenge Cup clash with Super League side Huddersfield.

"Obviously Gateshead aren't going to be as strong as Huddersfield but that's where we've got to be professional about it and treat it as a big game," he said.

"And to be honest it is a big game because we can go second in the group if we win. We also need a win straight away after the two losses we've had."

Those losses were at Huddersfield and, the previous week, at Batley in the Arriva Trains Cup group game, a result which has seen Featherstone, 18-16 victors over Hull KR on Sunday, move ahead in the race for the second qualifying spot in the Yorkshire section.

As for the Knights' own form, Jackson said: "What was most important about Sunday was not the fact we lost but the way we lost.

"We were all disappointed with the first half - Huddersfield had a purple patch which lasted about 30 minutes and at one stage they scored four tries from six sets. We probably gave them too much respect at the beginning.

"The fact we did better in the second half was pleasing. Maybe they dropped off a bit but we wanted to go and win that half and although they outscored us we gave it to them and fronted up much better.

"Gateshead is now an important game because we want to get back to winning ways quickly and get back into second place in the group."

The Knights have now embarked on a run of five games in just 15 days, and Jackson admitted he had to bear in mind he is an elder statesman.

"It does take a few more days to get over games now - I'm 35 after all," he said.

"You've got to look after yourself away from the game, eat and drink the right things and generally rest when you can.

"But I'm fit for the game and, if selected, will be right up for it. It's an important one to win."

Updated: 11:01 Wednesday, March 31, 2004