"LET'S do it for the supporters."

That was head coach James Ford's pledge as his York City Knights side prepare for tomorrow's iPro Sport Cup final against old rivals Keighley Cougars, a high noon showdown which kicks off the Summer Bash in Blackpool.

It is 80 years since York last won a knockout trophy – the 1936 Yorkshire Cup – and 38 since they last ran out in a KO final, losing to Bradford Northern in the 1978 Yorkshire Cup.

It is also six years since the Knights' last piece of silverware, the Championship One Grand Final trophy.

The iPro Cup does not come with the same prestige, of course, but Ford insists any trophy is worthy reward and he wants his side to lift this one, not only for themselves but in particular for the unlucky Ryan Mallinder – and the loyal York fans.

"The thought that it's the first final in a long time won't carry much weight with us," he said.

"We've got a very good team in front of us in Keighley and we're focusing on our strengths and making sure we hit our standards.

"As far as I'm concerned, the players have worked really hard and deserve to have the opportunity to show people how good they are in Blackpool.

"They're a very together group and they want to win for themselves and for Ryan – and, of course, for the supporters.

"The supporters who come have been fantastic – they've got right behind the players and have really made a difference.

"We're a bit disappointed with the numbers but, with the people who are there, you can't fault their effort or commitment. They've been fantastic and we want to win for them and to show everyone we're a team who deserve their support."

Ford added: "The fans are a big part of what we do at this club. We feel their frustration as York supporters over the last four, five, six years – we know there are times it won't have been easy.

"But they've been great and we want to give them something back, so they can go in to work next week and be incredibly proud.

"We want the city to be talking about rugby league – and lifting a trophy isn't a bad way to get people talking."

Mallinder, who broke a leg in last Friday's win at Newcastle, joins James Haynes and Micky Learmonth on the treatment table long-term, while hooker Harry Carter, in-form centre Tyler Craig – another injury victim on Tyneside – and back-rower Matty Dale also remained sidelined.

On-loan winger Tommy Saxton and new recruit Ross Divorty are ineligible, taking the unavailable list up to eight.

Veteran Austin Buchanan and fellow winger Ben Dent are added to the squad that beat Thunder, as are centre Brad Hey and forwards Jack Anderson and Ross Osbourne.

There has been no movement in the protracted talks between the Knights and an unnamed Super League club, thought to be Salford, about try-machine hooker Kriss Brining moving to the top tier, so he again takes his place.

Knights: from Wilkinson, B Dent, Hey, E Smith, Morland, Turner, Buchanan, Presley, Nicklas, Brining, P Smith, Spiers, Waller, Osbourne, Aldous, Anderson, Tonks, Applegarth, Emmett.