YORK RUFC's under-performing stars have been warned their places are under threat if they don't get their inconsistent Yorkshire One season back on track on Saturday.

Club coaches - angered at last weekend's inept display in defeat to Bridlington - have revealed that several players could find their spots in jeopardy unless there is a much-improved performance at Huddersfield YMCA.

Last weekend's defeat, which has threatened to derail York's promotion bid at an early stage, has left club chiefs seething and looking closely at the performance of some players in tomorrow's match - a game York should win with ease.

Billy Cakantabula returns this week to the wing, as does centre Nick Ventress after recovering from illness, teaming up with Sam Arkle. Lock Brad MacDonald is also welcomed back to the starting XV after getting over a blood infection.

There's a couple of positional swaps as skipper Andy Kay, usually a flanker, lines up at No. 8, with Grant Williams slotting in at blind-side.

York are still among the league's top try scorers and, inconsistency aside, should still have way too much firepower for Huddersfield, who have lost all five games this year and scored a mere 60 points.

YMCA's big task will be containing York's successful half-back combination of stand-off Carl Paterson and scrum-half Graeme Smith. Both were among the points against Bridlington last week.

Ironically, Selby could do York a big favour by picking up a victory against Old Crossleyans at Sandhill Lane.

As the club looks to keep in touch with the top end of the table following two desperately close losses against Sheffield Tigers and Ilkley, last week, a win against Crossleyans would also boost their near neighbour's promotion prospects.

But it will be a tough ask - Crossleyans are on a six-match unbeaten run, which includes a home scalp of York, and they lie comfortably in second spot in Yorkshire One.

Teamwise, Selby retain the back division originally chosen for the trip to Ilkley with Shaun Austerfield expected to return at centre and skipper Toby Pemberton welcomed back to to stand-off in place of Dan Porter.

In the forwards, Paul Gabel starts for only the third time this season with Richard Fuller this week taking a turn on the bench.

Jason Cicero returns in the second row to partner Rob Triffitt after being unavailable for the trip to Ilkley last week.

Richard Nicholson retains his position at flanker after an impressive display last week with Matthew Mills returning to take the other flanker position in place of Paul Randell, who drops to the second XV. Wright Phillips plays number 8.

Updated: 09:30 Friday, October 28, 2005