PRIDE is the new promotion for York City Knights at the Don Valley Stadium tonight (Friday) as they aim to end their championship season on a genuine high.

On paper, the Knights have nothing to play for having sewn up the league title with two games to spare at Hunslet.

But, aside from eliminating the shadow of Sunday's disappointing defeat to Workington just minutes before hoisting the LHF Healthplan National League Two trophy, there will be at least three motives for a win.

Head coach Mick Cook has the incentive of getting one over on his former club, another former Eagles legend Lee Jackson is playing his last-ever game after an illustrious career - and the rest of the players have a secret promise to live up to.

"I think it's massively important to go out with a win," said Cook. "When we actually secured the promotion place at Hunslet, we sat down in the dressing room afterwards and spoke about how we wanted to finish the season. We decided we wanted to end it on a high and we made a little bit of a pact.

"We didn't apply ourselves properly against Workington and that was disappointing so we want to get it right at Sheffield."

Several players will also be looking to use the match as a shop window to advertise their potential for next season to either Cook or any other watchful eyes.

Cook said: "A lot of them are re-signed but I'm still monitoring them. I told them we are going up a notch next year, we are going to be playing against better players, and everybody's still under my microscope. We are still looking at players we think can compete - they know nothing's safe and secure."

Sheffield, however, have everything to play for with the knowledge that the only way they can foster their hopes of snatching a place in the play-offs is with a win.

Gateshead must still lose their final match at Hunslet, but it is still a sliver of hope and Cook knows they will be up for it.

He added: "Mark Aston's been in the papers saying they have written the season off but while they still have even the slightest chance of making the play-offs you know they will be going for it.

"This is a lifeline for them. They have to wait for Gateshead's results but they will be up for this game and they have got enough to cause us problems.

"We have got to get back to what we do best and make them work extremely hard and just get on with the job."

Lee Lingard returns to the wing for the first time since the trip to London Skolars three months ago to accommodate Chris Ross' switch inside to cover the injured Dan Potter at centre.

Jonny Liddell and Scott Rhodes are also fresh in the frame for an appearance after sitting out Sunday's defeat, while Neil Law has shaken off the head injury that curtailed his day against Workington.

There are a very small number of seats remaining on the York City Knights Supporters' Club buses to tonight's game.

Reservations can be made by calling 07958 569266 by 3pm. Two buses will leave at 5.15pm from the stadium only and will stop through the city on the return journey.

Don't miss next Tuesday's Evening Press for your free supplement to mark the Knight's fantastic season which saw them crowned National Two champions.

Friday's squads:

LHF Healthplan National League Two

Sheffield Eagles v York City Knights

(at Don Valley Stadium)

Sheffield Eagles from: Worrincy, Mills, Pearson, Turnbull, de Chenu, Crawford, Presley, Buckenham, Brently, Morton, Molyneux, Brown, James, Ryan Dickinson, Brown, Rice, Hurst, Tillyer, Sean Dickinson, Alex Dickinson.

York City Knights: Blaymire, Fox, Ross, Law, Lingard, Rhodes, Levy, Forsyth, Jackson, Helme, Smith, Ramsden, Liddell. Subs: Elston, Callaghan, Sullivan, Sozi.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)

Kick off: 8pm.

Updated: 10:49 Friday, September 09, 2005