DUAL-REG duo Matty Marsh and Will Oakes will be back to bolster York City Knights' back line for their huge clash with Hunslet on Sunday - on what could be a defining weekend in Betfred League One's two-horse title race.

While the Knights entertain their old arch-rivals in a potential humdinger at Bootham Crescent (3pm), joint-table-toppers Bradford Bulls host a Workington Town team who, aside from York, are the only side to have beaten them this term.

Both results could be vital not only at the summit, where York and Bradford continue their scrap for the sole automatic promotion place, but also in the battle for the three remaining play-off places, with third-placed Worky and sixth-placed Hunslet among five teams separated by only four points.

While the return to fitness of skipper Tim Spears strengthens York's pack, the availability of Marsh and Oakes could be crucial for their injury-hit back line.

York lost winger Judah Mazive to a hamstring strain in last week's world record 130-0 away win at West Wales, while centre Perry Whiteley, who bagged a hat-trick on debut that day, is also unavailable.

The Knights are also still awaiting results of Jake Butler-Fleming's scans, although fear is growing the Aussie centre, who last played in the memorable win at Bradford on July 22, will be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Ford said of the dual-reg Hull KR duo: "It's always good to have as many options as possible.

"Judah has got a mild hamstring issue and being able to call on a player of Will Oakes' calibre is massive.

"I know Will will be looking forward to playing and I enjoy having him here."

Marsh, meanwhile, replaces Matt Chilton, the inexperienced deadline day signing from York Acorn, at full-back, despite the latter's hat-trick last week.

"I think Matt Chilton has done pretty well," said Ford. "He's come into our team (for the last three games) and shown lots of promise and I'm confident he'll kick on and become a good player at this level maybe even higher.

"But Matty Marsh is more experienced. I've got a lot of time for Matty. He can kick on and be a tremendous player and I'm delighted to be able to include him."

Ford confirmed Marsh, when available, is currently higher in the pecking order, explaining: "He's a full-time player while Matty Chilton has just come in from York Acorn - and I don't mean that with any disrespect to Acorn.

"Down the line who knows. It depends on how hard they work and how they look after themselves outside of training."

Whiteley is unavailable as former club Keighley have no game this weekend and he booked a holiday earlier in the year expecting to have the time off - same as Hunslet back-rower Josh Tonks.

Regular centre Brad Hey is a straight swap, returning from a rest week - though Ford was "looking forward" to having a selection headache when both were vying along with top-scorer Joe Batchelor for centre berths.

Spears resumes at the back of the pack, with Aussie Joel Edwards reverting to a front-row role, Dan Hawksworth making way.

Hooker Andy Ellis remains sidelined after scans showed a small tear in a calf muscle. There is no fixture next weekend due to the Challenge Cup final, giving him an extra week off, and the veteran is expected back for the tough trip to Workington the following weekend.

Knights (probable): Marsh, Oakes, Hey, Batchelor, Robson, Cockayne, C Robinson, Horne, Jubb, A Robinson, Jordan-Roberts, Scott, Spears. Subs: Carter, Ormondroyd, Edwards, Porter. Standby: Ronan Dixon, Chilton, Kelly.