SCOTT RHODES admits York Acorn home games are carrying pressure until the Blue And Golds can sort themselves out on the road.

The head coach welcomes Salford City Roosters to Thanet Road in National Conference League division one on Saturday frustrated by the club's away form.

Acorn are fifth in the table, four points adrift of leaders Ince Rose Bridge, largely on the strength of home comforts that have seen them defeat title-chasing Kells and put 50 past Shaw Cross Sharks.

On the road, though, defeats have come at Ince and, last time out, at Normanton Knights where Rhodes believes his side performed poorly.

He said: "That was quite an important two points for us and we came up short. There were a lot of errors and a lot of individuals didn't really do themselves justice in that game.

"There was a lot of effort and commitment and we lost by six points. We have just got to get our away form right if we are going to do anything in the league."

Rhodes added: "You put yourself under pressure to win (home) games. We have got Salford this weekend at home and they have been losing a few games.

"It is a massive game for us to keep in touch and we have got to win."

Salford caused a stir when John McAtee came out of retirement to lead a side with only 15 players to victory over Premier Division high-fliers Lock Lane in the second round of the Conference Challenge Trophy last time out.

It was a performance which belies their league position, which has seen them pick up just six points in ten games.

But it was a result which made Rhodes sit up and take notice and he has stressed his side will need to perform if they are to keep up with the top trio in the table.

"It was a great result for them and they will come full of confidence," he added. "We have got to get our performance right. If we do that and we get out there and are mistake free then we will win the game."

Work commitments mean Rhodes is unlikely to be able to call on Davey Burns for a month - described by the coach as a "big loss" - while Nick Speck is suffering with a back injury and will miss out.

Thomas Mackley is also a doubt with a trapped nerve in his shoulder and scrum Anthony Chilton's ankle injury, which has kept him out for four weeks, will be assessed this week.

Gareth Singleton, out with a broken leg, is still six to eight weeks away.

Rhodes said "We will fill in where we have to. We pick on form. We don't pick 'named' players and, if they are playing well enough, they will play."

York Acorn 'A', top of division one of the Yorkshire Men's League with five wins and a draw from their first six encounters, have a summit clash with Milford Marlins to negotiate.

The West Yorkshire outfit trail the Blue and Golds by just a point but Acorn, who travel to Leeds, will be confident of maintaining their unbeaten record.

Heworth, second in division two, are without a game this week while York Lokomotive, in division three, are also not in action.

In the Entry League, Heworth 'A' are at Thornhill Trojans 'A'.