JAMES FORD reckons all the pressure will be on Swinton ahead of their Challenge Cup fourth round clash in Yorkshire.

Ford says his Knights side are big underdogs against the Championship outfit, especially after forfeiting home advantage.

This is despite contrasting starts to the season - York having shown up well with one win and one loss in mighty close games against League One title hopefuls Oldham and Bradford whereas the Lions have suffered five straight defeats.

The York boss has also intimated the game is more important for the Greater Manchester side, suggesting his priorities are upcoming league matches against Keighley and Doncaster, rather than netting a money-spinning tie in round five when Super League clubs enter.

"It's always nice to win any game," he said, when asked about priorities. "It's nice to progress in the cup and showcase your team's ability against Super League opposition and earn the club some money. Obviously we want to progress.

"Ultimately, though, our number one priority is to perform as well as we can in the league. Not everything in life can be a priority.

"It's a challenge and good preparation for Keighley."

The match has been switched to Featherstone's ground with Bootham Crescent currently waterlogged.

Ford added of the challenge posed by the Lions: "We're expecting a very tough game. They're a team who aren't scared to mix it up a bit and they can play with the ball. They can be cute in how they attack.

"The standard of what Swinton will throw at us will be level to that of Bradford and Oldham, or beyond. They're a hardened Championship team and we're looking forward to testing ourselves against them.

"We're underdogs. We're in League One. There's no pressure on us at all. The pressure is on Swinton.

"They've not set off their season as well as they would have liked. All their talk this week will be about kick-starting their season and building momentum. The only question is what happens if they don't."