YORK Acorn boss Scott Rhodes has no fears his side will be ring rusty when they return to National Conference League division one duties at Myton Warriors on Saturday.

The Blue and Golds haven't been in league action since their superb 30-26 victory at Shaw Cross Sharks on July 25 but, as they prepare to meet the only side to have left Thanet Road victorious this season, Rhodes believes Acorn will be ready to go.

Rhodes will be missing as many as half a dozen players, including Anthony Chilton, Harry Bromwich and Jordan Myers, following a holiday to Magaluf, but a second team game against Siddal and the club's victorious showing in the Yorkshire 9s last weekend leaves him confident of his squad's fitness.

And he is more than happy to call on the second stringers, proclaiming he knows they will "give their all".

"We had a second team game at Siddal last week where five or six played in that and we had the Yorkshire 9s competition which was quite intense," Rhodes explained. "We won that and got the majority playing in it. A lot have had a run out but we have had five away in Magaluf who are coming back on Thursday and won't feature.

"We haven't had a game for two weeks but that's why we have got a second team. If we need anyone to play in there they will. The 9s came at a good time for us and, with two weeks out of the league season, it would have been tough without a game."

Asked about his missing men, with Matthew Woods also among their number, Rhodes added: "They are key players. It (includes) a centre, a back row and a half-back but that's why we have got a successful second team. I can call on players from there who I know will give their all. There are no problems."

The Acorn chief is hoping that Myton's victory in York - a 36-18 defeat at the start of May - will also spur his men on for revenge as they continue to hang on to the coat-tails of leaders Normanton Knights and Kells, who are both seven points clear of the fifth placed Blue and Golds.

"We know a lot about Myton," Rhodes added. "They have got a massive pack - good front rows - and it is important that we combat that if we are to get anything out of the game. Myton are the only team to have beaten us at home and I thought they would do really well but they seem to be slipping.

"We will go there expecting a really tough game. It is always going to be difficult there. It is a small, compact pitch and the lads know what they are in for. I haven't looked at the table for a couple of weeks but we are hanging on in there."

York Acorn 'A' host Bentley in the Yorkshire Mens League first division, while Heworth entertain Hunslet Warriors 'A' in division two.York Lokomotive are also at home, against Keighley Albion, in division three.