YORK City Knights boss James Ford has lauded his squad for continuing to focus on playing matters as the community stadium saga takes another twist.

As confirmed yesterday, the homeless club, sidelined from the community stadium project by City of York Council, have had to take Friday night's "home" match against South Wales Scorpions to Featherstone Rovers' Big Fellas Stadium.

The club are laying on free buses for fans but it is still 31 miles out of the city and Ford is aware his young troops, already without a training base, are also now missing out on proper home support.

"Obviously everybody would prefer it to be in York making it easier for the supporters to attend and support the team, but I understand we're in a difficult situation at present," said Ford.

"I'm sure sooner or later a solution will be found. The players are doing their part - they're sticking together and focusing on playing rugby league and improving and developing as individuals and as a team.

"Sooner or later all other things will have to fall into place so the club can move forward and fulfil its undoubted potential."

Friday's Kingstone Press League One match has been rearranged from last Sunday as the Knights were in Challenge Cup sixth-round action that weekend, impressing in defeat to Super League champions St Helens.

Rugby Football League operational rules state such a postponed fixture must be held on the next available weekend - which is this weekend - and Friday is the only day South Wales could play.

That means York RUFC's Clifton Park, which has hosted the Knights' two competitive home games so far this season, cannot stage this one as its pitch is being re-seeded.

That ground, in any case, does not meet RFL standards and the club needed special dispensation to play there.

As for Friday's fixture, an RFL spokesman said: "York City Knights approached us to ask permission to play their match against South Wales Scorpions at Featherstone Rovers and that permission has been granted for this game."

The Knights became homeless after their former Huntington Stadium home was closed for rugby ahead of its major redevelopment into an 8,000-seater community stadium.

The plan was to see the team play at York City's Bootham Crescent ground before both clubs moved into the new arena.

However, in a long-running saga, no agreement has been reached between the council's stadium team and club chiefs, leaving coach Ford's men without a ground or training base for the past six months.

Their two "home" pre-season fixtures were played at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium and Pontefract RUFC, and they have since been fortunate with cup draws giving them away ties, meaning they have up to now had only the two previous competitive home games.

This latest move, however, has seen a section of supporters increase calls for owner John Guildford to sell up.

The council in January blamed him for the breakdown in negotiations and said it wouldn't deal with him again, while Guildford argued the deal offered left the Knights losing money. A new board of directors was brought in to hold talks with the council but it is unclear if progress has been made.

A statement from the Knights said: "The club was trying all it could to have this fixture played at Bootham Crescent but several issues including the need for a revised safety certificate have prevented Bootham Crescent being available.

"After last Friday night’s impressive performance against St Helens, James Ford’s men can hopefully kick on and concentrate on league success."

Friday's clash kicks off at 8pm, with turnstiles opening at 7.15pm.

The free buses are for season ticket holders and fans with pre-booked tickets. Supporters need to book spaces by phoning the club on 01904 767404.

Buses will leave Cedar Court Hotel at 5.45pm and 6.15pm.

Turnstile prices are £15 for adults, £12 for concessions and £5 for under-16s.