YORK City Knights' pre-season friendly at Castleford Tigers scheduled for Friday night has been cancelled - with the clubs now looking into staging the fixture at York RUFC on Sunday.

The Tigers have said they need to protect their Wheldon Road pitch for the start of their Super League season a week on Sunday.

The game cannot be automatically switched to York due to the community stadium saga currently leaving the Knights homeless, but the club have since contacted their rugby union neighbours about the possibility of playing at their Clifton Park base.

A Knights statement said: "We are saddened to announce the friendly has been cancelled.

"The club will be looking to add another friendly to the schedule.

"The Knights would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused, although we would like to reiterate this is a decision out of our hands."

A Cas statement said: "Castleford Tigers can can confirm the friendly versus York on Friday has been cancelled.

"In order to preserve the pitch for the first Super League fixture against Wakefield on Sunday, February 8 we've had no choice but to cancel this game."

Pre-purchased tickets can be refunded in the Tigers club shop or the Knights' Roland Court office (01904 767404) from tomorrow, and online orders can be refunded by phoning 01977 529265.