HEAD coach James Ford says York City Knights will head into the most important game of their season so far in rude health.

Only long-term injury absentee Adam Swift is currently on the sidelines, leaving Ford to pick what he deems his "strongest available squad" for Sunday's title showdown at Bradford Bulls.

There is likely to be a debut for former Leeds prop Jack Ormondroyd, while the other new signing from the Rhinos, Josh Jordan-Roberts, is also included in the 19-man match-day squad.

Also back into the side come dual-reg Hull KR trio Matty Marsh, Jordan Walne and Josh Johnson, after they missed last week's trip to London Skolars.

Marsh has been named at stand-off but played full-back last time with Ben Cockayne continuing in the halves. Ford said he was leaving it late to decide which way round they would be this time - although his mind is probably made up.

Johnson is eligible despite picking up a one-match ban following his red card for fighting in the win over Doncaster a fortnight ago. The suspension instead rules him out of next weekend's game against Coventry Bears.

"I've picked what I feel is my strongest side available for this game," said Ford.

"We're in a good spot coming into the last nine games of the season.

"The new faces will bring a little bit of fresh energy to the group and make sure people are on their toes. Competition for places can bring only positives, as long as everybody sees opportunities to play, which there are.

"There are nine games left, there's plenty of rugby league to be played and everyone in the squad has a key role to play."

Also back into York's 17 comes veteran hooker Andy Ellis and bruising back-rower Sam Scott, while Aussie Jake Butler-Fleming stays at centre after making his return from injury in London.

Those making way from the side that beat the Skolars are props Adam Robinson and Dan Hawksworth, hooker Will Jubb, second-row Mike Kelly and Liam Jackson. Prop Ronan Dixon stays in the 19.

Bradford will make at least two changes from the 17 that saw off Hunslet last Sunday - the Bulls still looking powerful despite a couple of new long-term injuries.

In come veteran back Lee Smith and notable new recruit Jordan Lilley, with centre Ashley Gibson and second-row James Laithwaite making way after suffering a broken thumb and broken leg respectively.

Lilley’s inclusion gives Kear selection headaches in the play-making positions, with dangerman Dane Chisholm, Joe Keyes, whose last-gasp penalty won the reverse fixture at York, and hookers Sam Hallas and George Flanagan, whose two tries sealed victory at Hunslet last time out, all in the squad.

Liam Kirk and Liam Johnson are also added in the 19.

The referee, meanwhile, is Matt Rossleigh, the London-based Aussie who also took charge of the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season, coming under fire for a number of penalties awarded to the Bulls, including the decisive one on the final hooter.

Bradford (possible): McNally, Ryan, J Oakes, Smith, Grant, Keyes, Chisholm, Crossley, Hallas, Bustin, Garside, Wood, Minchella. Subs: from Lilley, Flanagan, Peltier, Green, L Johnson, L Kirk.

Knights (probable): Cockayne, Mazive, Butler-Fleming, Hey, Robson, March, C Robinson, Walne, Ellis, J Johnson, Batchelor, Scott, Spears. Subs: Carter, Horne, Ormondroyd, Porter. Stand-by: Jordan-Roberts, Dixon.