YORK City Knights boss Mick Cook has employed a simple philosophy ahead of Sunday's vital Northern Rail Cup contest against Sheffield - play well and win.

The Knights lost away to the Eagles last month thus putting them down in the group six pecking order and needing to triumph tomorrow to have realistic hopes of getting into the top two.

"It's not about revenge," said Cook. "We just need to improve on our performances. We were beaten fair and square down there because we did not play as well as we can. We're just looking to get our performance right.

"If we want to progress we need to win this game. We're capable of winning it and we're looking forward to it."

Cook may have new injury problems with a couple of late fitness tests afoot, though he would not say which players were doubtful.

Captain Dan Potter returns, however, as does prop Dean O'Loughlin, both for their first games of the season after injury. Mark Blanchard is also set to come back in as Cook shuffles his pack, while Phil Hasty partners Paul Thorman at half-back with Scott Rhodes resting a shoulder niggle.

"We were always going to look at the partnerships," said Cook. "Scott's done alright, doing the things we were asking him to do. Paul did okay last week in his first game (of the season). He gets stuck in and he makes things happen. He sticks to the game-plan and works hard to initiate it."

Sheffield skipper Andy Smith looks set to miss out with a hamstring problem while prop Paul Fletcher also faces a late test, but former Great Britain star and Eagles assistant-coach Andy Hay could be back after a calf strain.

Coach Gary Wilkinson, who may rotate his squad, said: "All of our performances this year have given us encouragement. We gave Hull KR a tough game last week and we expect another tough one this week against York.

"They got their first victory of the season recently and that will give them a boost, but we are ready for them."

The Knights were confident Sunday's game would go ahead despite the recent snowfall and cold weather.

Updated: 10:17 Saturday, March 04, 2006