BIRTHDAY boy Danny Nicklas says he’d be happy to kick the pressure points for York City Knights as the promotion race hots up - despite his "hit-and-miss" form with the boot.

Nicklas, the Knights’ only ever-present this term until being rested for Sunday’s win over Gloucestershire All Golds, admits he can't expect to walk back into the side for the big one against League One leaders Toulouse on Saturday given the scoring form of new boy Harry Tyson-Wilson.

But the Hull-born half-back, who turns 25 tomorrow, obviously wants to be fully involved again as the team head towards the Super 8s in high spirits – and that includes continuing with goal-kicking duties if required.

Of his shooting form, he said: “It’s been a bit hit and miss, to be honest.

“It’s the first proper year I’ve kicked goals since I was 18.

“I’m always on the paddock practising, and some days they stick and others they don’t.

“I’m happy to take them and I’ll keep working and practising and hopefully they'll go between the sticks.

“I’m a confident player on the field so I don’t see why not.

“I’ve been striking it okay recently – I got six from six against Hunslet and obviously that’s the form I’m aiming for.”

Nicklas has booted 57 goals from 97 attempts this season at a below-par success rate of 59 per cent.

Meanwhile, Hull loanee Tyson-Wilson has notched 14 from 16 attempts in two appearances for York, adding to four tries for a total of 44 points already.

On being left out against Gloucestershire, Nicklas said: “Obviously you want to play every game.

"I picked up a bit of a dead leg the week before at Oxford but I was fine to play. But James Ford (head coach) said to have the weekend off and put my feet up.

“He wants to keep everyone fresh. There are two important games coming up and maybe ten or 12 tough matches still to play.

“I'll hopefully come back into the squad this week. I don’t know if I’ll be starting – that’s up to James.

“I’ve been quite happy with my performances leading up to it and I think I’ve been playing okay. Everybody has been playing well – there have been some big team performances recently, especially against Hunslet and Rochdale. They were massive performances and we’ll need some more now.”

Toulouse remain the only unbeaten team in League One and also have a massive points-difference advantage so are big favourites to finish top with two games to go before the league splits into two.

York, in second, are two points behind, but Nicklas has not given up hope of leapfrogging the Frenchmen prior to the Super 8s.

“It’s a possible league decider,” he said of Saturday’s match.

“We'd definitely like to finish top – it gives you a bit of an advantage in the Super 8s, such as home games against certain rivals.

“We’ve turned this place (Bootham Crescent) into a fortress and we’d like to keep it that way.

“Toulouse then Keighley are two tough games to decide it, and it’s about getting the big team performances, with everyone fresh and playing well. I don’t see why we can’t take four points from these two games.

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s the business end of the season. It’s what you train hard for all year, hopefully to get that promotion and take the club back to where it belongs.”

In addition to teenager Tyson-Wilson, the Knights have recently recruited Championship veterans Tommy Saxton, Adam Robinson and Sam Smeaton on loan, plus former Bradford winger Andy Smith.

Added Nicklas: “James Ford has brought really good players in, strengthening the squad.

“I don’t see why we can’t kick on again now, get into the play-offs and get that promotion.”