NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC player-boss Jack Stearman has rubbished fears of relegation - but says his side need to show their "true credentials" in 2016.

All Blacks have headed into the new year third from bottom of the Pennine League championship, level on points with the two teams below them having suffered the ignominy of being docked points for failing to fulfil a fixture in the autumn.

But, with postponements and cup commitments piling up before Christmas, none of the ten teams in the tier have yet played half of their league fixtures, with All Blacks in particular having been restricted to six outings.

Asked if he was worried about relegation, having bagged only two wins so far, Stearman, who began the season with hopes of promotion, said: "No, not at all. We're far too good for that.

"We obviously need to start winning consistently, but if we get to play game after game, week on week, it allows us to push on and show our true credentials."

Playing week by week is the first hurdle - with All Blacks having not turned out since November 28.

Their fixture at leaders Mirfield on Saturday was the latest to fall foul of the weather, although, paradoxically, Stearman did not think that was a particularly bad thing.

"They'd tried to get the game on but another downpour that morning meant the pitch was unplayable," he explained.

"But I think we should have had that weekend off anyway, purely because January 2 is too early to go back (after the festive break).

"It's not just about people recovering from New Year's Eve. People go away for that weekend and they need time with their families."

On the extended break, he added: "It's the same for everyone and in a way it has benefited us because we've had a few players injured and the extra week gives them more time to come back.

"The squad is good enough to cope with those challenges but now we're a bit stronger and can push on into the new year."

Adam Kirby and Jamie Norris will be back for Saturday's home game against bottom team Allerton Bywater - when victory will be paramount - while Jack Cregan and Tommy Hields have outside chances of returning. Jack Sinclair will also be back at the end of January after a year on the sidelines.

Stearman reckoned he did not know Allerton were bottom, instead concentrating on his own team.

"I've been disappointed with the way we performed in the first part of the season," he said.

"But getting Christmas out of the way has been a blessing. It's now important to kick on, get a victory on Saturday and have a good 2016."

Selby Warriors, whose 30-0 walkover conceded by West Craven Warriors last week put them top of division two, go to bottom side Woodhouse Warriors looking to consolidate that lofty position.

Fellow promotion-chasers Sherburn Bears, likewise handed a walkover by Leeds Underdogs last week to make it six wins from six in division four east, host Swillington.

The visitors, in fourth, are only one spot below Sherburn, but the division is shaping up to be a three-horse race.