JAMES FORD says his York City Knights troops merited "a couple of beers" after Saturday's iPro Sport Cup final - despite defeat and their hectic schedule.

Some of Ford's squad had an evening out in Blackpool after the loss to Keighley, even though they faced two important League One games in the next seven days - at home to Coventry Bears tomorrow night (7.30pm) followed by the crucial visit of leaders Rochdale on Sunday.

Ford said they deserved to celebrate reaching the final - a first knockout final for York RL since 1978 - and reckoned the boost to camaraderie would more than make up for any adverse physical effects from a one-off jolly.

"There are two schools of thought," explained Ford. "One regards the physiology of recovery, but the other is the mental side and the togetherness of the squad, and I think you have to get the balance right.

"The boys have given a lot of their time and energies - they're very committed to the club and to each other - and have done so since pre-season, even coming in on Christmas Eve.

"We didn't get the result on Saturday but I felt the boys worked very hard to get there and I was not going to stand in their way from having a couple of beers and celebrating making the final."

Ford stressed there was no hint of complacency ahead of Coventry's visit.

The Bears sit 11th with only two wins from six, but their last outing brought a comprehensive 50-14 win at Hemel Stags including hat-tricks for Jono Miliszewski and Charlie O'Mara.

"Coventry have a very big middle, with the likes of (Trae) O'Sullivan, Brad Brennan and Jack Morrison. We need to make sure our attitude is right and our contact is good," said Ford. "They look pretty tidy on the edges too. They're an improving team all round.

"But, for me, this week is about us and getting back to the standards we've been at previously."

New recruit Ross Divorty as expected comes in for his debut in the back row, while Tommy Saxton, ineligible on Saturday, replaces Austin Buchanan on the wing after a try-scoring debut in the win at Newcastle.

Brad Hey could start, while Brett Turner and Ben Dent are set to carry on where they left off on Saturday, at full-back and wing respectively, having switched during that game as Ford continues to check them both out at number one in the absence of Richard Wilkinson and long-term crock James Haynes. Jack Anderson is also added to the squad.

On Divorty, who spent seven years in the Championship with Featherstone and Halifax after first bursting onto the scene at home-town club York, Ford said: "He will be a really positive signing.

"We've had to shuffle things around a little bit while Matty Dale's still getting back to full fitness and sharpness, and Ross will help us to be patient with him.

"He's also just a quality player and a big boost for us, experience-wise and skill-wise. He brings a bit more size to our team as well.

"I'm excited to have him here and to see him play."

Ford also said he had no qualms about throwing the 27-year-old in immediately, some three months since his last appearance for Halifax.

"He's played at a high level for many years," he said. "His influence will be important for us."

For Coventry, New Zealander Miliszewski, Aussies James Geurtjens and Jay Lobwein and Huddersfield-born Ben Warrilow are out from the side that hammered Hemel, with Hayden Freeman, Elliot Norman, Elliot Holton, Harry Chapman, John Aldred and Dan Price added to the squad.

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

Coventry (possible): O'Mara, Bass, Medforth, Batchelor, Freeman, James, Redman, Beddows, Morrison, Thompson, Brennan, O'Sullivan, Beecham, Barratt, Norman, Holton, Chapman, Aldred, Price.