NATIONAL League Two favourites York City Knights and Sheffield Eagles will go head-to-head in an early clash of the titans in the fourth round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Hopes of a big-name glamour tie for the Knights were dashed last night when they were drawn away to the Eagles.

Head coach Richard Agar said today: "It's a difficult tie. We would have preferred home advantage and Sheffield and ourselves are both seen as major contenders for NL Two so it's probably interesting from that point of view.

"It will be an intriguing tie as far as looking where we both are in terms of our league season. But at the same time it's one we hope we can get through into the next round."

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said: "In real terms, it isn't probably the draw that we wanted and neither would it be the draw that Sheffield would have wanted.

"We have both been touted about as favourites for the championship and we would rather have kept our cards close to our chest this early in the season.

"But it's a cup tie and you get what you're given and both sides will be out there to win."

Darren Callaghan and captain Lee Jackson are both former Eagles players, while Richard Goddard used to play in Knights colours.

Agar said: "I don't think it will make much of a difference. There's a big turnover of players who have been on one-season contracts. On a personal note, I am sure those players will want to do well against their former coach.

"But I am sure Sheffield will want to lay down their marker against us for the coming league season. Having said that, I don't think this fixture will have any bearing on the league as it is a long way off."

A more immediate concern is the gap left by Richie Hayes in the props following his retirement with Neil Mears injured, Joe Helme in fire service training and a ban hanging over the head of Craig Forsyth.

But a search for a replacement has yielded little so far.

Agar said: "We are thinking about bringing someone in but it's easier said than done. We have got a couple of irons in the fire but nothing concrete at the moment.

"It would be good for us if Craig Forsyth got through the hearing but we are expecting him to get a game or two.

"While that will put Craig out and Richie out, it will open the door up for other players to have a chance.

"Everyone says we have got a big squad but it's being really tested out. We are going to Gateshead on Sunday and the guys who have been disappointed so far this season will get a chance so, by Sunday, everyone will have got a game under their belts. I never thought that would happen this soon."

Danny Shields will be unlikely to feature on Sunday because of work, while Scott Rhodes and Hayes will both be definitely missing. Forsyth is a question mark for the tie giving Chris Smith a chance to get back into the squad.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, February 10, 2004