INJURY-HIT York City Knights face going to old foes Keighley "with half a team missing and backs against the wall" for their crucial League One four-pointer - but head coach James Ford insists his troops will come out fighting.

The Knights' six-match winning run ended in agonising fashion against Whitehaven last week, with matters quickly worsening as hooker Harry Carter went to hospital for an emergency hernia operation while key men Ash Robson and Tim Spears have also spent the week on the treatment table and are "very unlikely" to feature tomorrow.

The club have also lost in-form half-back Liam Harris after his recall by parent club Hull KR, while on-field general Andy Ellis remains sidelined with his calf strain.

It is terrible timing for the team, too, with the race for the Super 8s hotting up. The Knights sit fourth but are only two points above the Cougars and only four above three teams from eighth to 10th. They must also travel to title certainties Toronto next week.

But Ford, referring to two years of off-field strife prior to the club's December takeover, said: "It's backs against the wall this week. But we've been in worse situations and come through the other side.

"On Tuesday we trained with one hooker and one half-back. We've done it tough this week but that kind of situation can bring the best out of people, certainly people with character and fight.

"We'll go as massive underdogs with half the team missing and show what backbone we've got.

"We've had our fair share of adversity over the last couple of years and shown what we can do. We'll do it again this weekend."

Asked about York's place in the Super 8s being far from guaranteed, Ford said: "We've got a two-point cushion over Keighley and four points for the Super 8s.

"It's not a game that will define either team's season - there are bigger games to come - but it's certainly one that contributes to the season.

"We will need to continue to improve, work hard and focus on the little things that in my opinion set us aside from a lot of teams in this competition.

"We need to show resilience and character. If we do that we have a chance of solidifying our position in the top four.

"We've shown this season that, if we do get into get in the eight, then the five (the play-offs), we're capable on our day of knocking anybody off."

James Haynes is lined up to revert to his old full-back role in Robson's stead, while big Bobby Tyson-Wilson will come into the pack for Spears.

Hooker Will Jubb and half-back Harry Tyson-Wilson make welcome returns on dual-reg and from injury respectively, while centre Tuoyo Egodo is set for his debut on loan from Castleford.

Said Ford: "Ash is an outstanding player for us. He gives us lots of strike everywhere around the field.

"However, I have every confidence James Haynes will do a great job at full-back. He's great defensively, gives us great leadership and communication and he's very solid back there.

"Tim's struggling as well. He's another big player for us, with his leadership, desire, grit, determination.

"Andy's not recovered as quickly as we anticipated and we've lost Harry Carter for a while.

"They're huge blows coming into a huge game for the club. Their ability and class go without saying.

"What it does give us, though, is an opportunity for other blokes to come in and demonstrate how good they are and how much quality we have in the squad.

"Losing Liam is another blow as he's been excellent for us, but he deserves his opportunity at Hull KR - that's what dual-reg is all about.

"But it gives Harry Tyson an opportunity to come back in and remind us what he's capable of.

"He's trained really well and has looked fresh and enthusiastic and keen to get back out there."

York also haven't won at Cougar Park since 2008. Ford added: "Keighley are massive favourites but, even though the odds are against us, we'll have a real good crack at them."