“I AM adamant we’re a better side than when we played Workington previously.”

So said York City Knights boss James Ford, as he takes his team to Cumbria for Sunday's huge Betfred League One clash to face Workington Town.

When these sides met at Bootham Crescent in June the Knights dispatched their visitors 40-8, thanks to a 22-point second-half showing without reply.

Both teams come into the game off the back of super results, with York thrashing old arch-rivals Hunslet 48-6 and Workington completing a memorable home and away double over Bradford Bulls with victory at Odsal.

There followed a week’s break from the action, which Ford has stressed has not hampered his side’s momentum, saying: “It came at a good time. We’ve been going for 40-odd weeks now since pre-season, so it’s been good to give the players time away to recover physically and mentally.

“The players this week have trained to an exceptional level and I’m adamant we’re a better side than when we played Workington previously.

“Workington are a good side, even without beating Bradford twice. They’ve got a good coach who’s worked to improve them, and we know we’re going to have to be at our very best to come away with the points.”

And what Ford demands from his Knights is a continuation of the attitude that has taken them top of the table.

He said: “We want the mentality the players have shown all season where they’re prepared to work incredibly hard and fight for everything, show composure on the ball and not get riled by anything.”

Cumbria has not been a happy hunting ground for York who, since being re-formed in 2003, have notched only four wins in the region as a whole in 21 visits since 2005.

Workington has provided the richest pickings, with York having claimed three victories there over 2008 and 2009.

But Ford has dismissed the notion of a Cumbrian curse. Referencing this season’s 26-18 defeat at Whitehaven, he said: “It’s nonsense – we’ve been to Cumbria once and lost. We went with 17 players and lost by a handful of points.

“Going to Cumbria is irrelevant. We’re expecting to go and perform well. The whole Cumbria hoodoo thing is boring.”

Ford has two possible changes to make to the side that beat Hunslet a fortnight ago. Hooker Andy Ellis has been in training and may come in for Will Jubb while prop Ronan Dixon replaces the unavailable Jack Ormondroyd.

Recent recruit from Keighley Cougars, Perry Whiteley, is included in the 19-man squad after being unavailable for the Hunslet game. Ford said of the centre: “He’s done really well and looks like a really good signing for us."

Ford also had praise for Dixon, saying: “The last couple of games, he’s shown potential. It’s a shame he picked up that injury, so I’m pleased to re-include him.”

Workington look likely to field the same side that shocked Bradford two weeks ago.

Knights (probable): Marsh, Oakes, Hey, Batchelor, Robson, C Robinson, Cockayne, Dixon, Ellis, Horne, Jordan-Roberts, Scott, Spears. Subs: (from) Carter, Porter, Edwards, A Robinson, Whiteley, Jubb.

Workington (probable): Forrester, Mellor, Miller, Singleton, Hambley, Doran, Forber, Wilkes, Penkywicz, Curwen, Olstrom, Morris, Scholey. Subs: (from) Newton, Dawson, Dickinson, Moimoi, G. Maudling, Rooke.