KEIGHLEY boss Craig Lingard reckons facing York City Knights away is the second biggest test in League One behind taking on title favourites Bradford.

Lingard brings a depleted team to Bootham Crescent on Sunday (3pm) looking to bounce back from their last fixture, a 54-6 defeat to the Bulls.

And he expects a tough challenge against a side with whom the Cougars have a history.

Lingard said: “It’s going to be very, very difficult against York. They are very consistent.

“Apart from playing Bradford, facing York away is the next toughest test.

“They have a big pack of forwards who will test you. We need to be matching them set for set. We need to get 50 per cent of the ball.”

Keighley had no Challenge Cup game last weekend having been knocked out by North Wales in round three, amid a stuttering start to the season.

But Lingard said he got the desired reaction to the Bradford defeat after he dropped 14 of that side into a reserves team that duly hammered Halifax 54-6.

He said: “We want to get back on the field and put the Bradford game to bed now.

“The reserve game served its purpose. I didn't want the York game to be the next time they would play after Bulls and play on their minds.

“It was good we scored 40 points in 20 minutes in that game."

Cougars half-back Matty Beharrell and hooker Nathan Conroy sit Sunday out due to suspension, but back-rower Josh Lynam is back from his ban.

Long-term crocks Cameron Leeming (knee), Emmerson Whittel (knee), Dan Parker (hand) and Trae O’Sullivan (concussion) remain sidelined, joined by ex-Knight Brad Nicholson and fellow prop James Davies who signed on loan from Bradford only to suffer a shoulder injury in training.

Keighley have also recently released four players - ex-Bradford prop Joe Lumb, Gavin Reed, who made his debut against York last year, ex-Wakefield second-row Liam Senior, and Aaron Nicholson.

Perry Whiteley, who impressed in the reserves against Halifax, Billy Gaylor and Jose Kenga could all make debuts.

Davey Dixon is also named in a 19-man squad for the first team in 2018 following his return from the Commonwealth Games, while Lewis Fairhurst is back from illness.

Lingard's squad includes ex-Knights Mike Emmett, Josh Tonks - who got a five match ban after his sending off against York last year - and Benn Hardcastle. Big prop Samir Tahraoui, who joined York on loan last year only to leave two months later without donning the shirt, also features.