IT doesn't get any easier for York Acorn ARLC though at least this time they will be at home - and potentially bolstered by a new signing.

The Blue and Golds' first three games back in the elite National Conference League premier division were all away to sides who were in the top three of the early table at time, including 2015 treble winners Leigh Miners Rangers and runners-up Siddal.

This Saturday, they face Wigan St Patrick's, who finished fourth last year and this week broke into the latest top three.

Acorn boss Scott Rhodes admits some of his players are on a downer at present, without a win so far this term, but has vowed to battle on, and is poised to throw into the mix new-boy Jack Stewart, the former Heworth ARLC starlet who has previously been on Hull KR's books.

"We've had a tough start but you've got to expect that coming up to the premier," he said.

"There was a warning before we came up - every week we would have to be at our best, and I don't think we have been yet.

"There are too many errors in our game to win these matches.

"It's a tough start but we have to stick with it, keep working hard, keep going, and get that result we need to get the monkey off our back.

"We're better at home, as our results have showed over the last couple of years. We're finally at home this weekend.

"But team selection as well will have to be right - we need to right side on the pitch and we've not had that with injuries and people being away last week."

Captain Tom Hill remains unavailable, Lewis Lord could be out too, and a few others missed training earlier this week.

Among them were half-backs Joe Budd and Antony Chilton, who have had a sickness bug, but Rhodes is hoping they will be okay for Saturday along with Elliot Bulmer, who sat out the heavy Siddal defeat after dislocating a finger

Utility back Stewart, a Scotland Under-19s international who also broke into the full Scotland squad in 2014 after impressing in Hull KR's academy ranks, is also set to come in.

"We've had a couple of big scores against us and the boys have lost a bit of confidence and that has a knock-on effect at training," said Rhodes.

"But we have to fight on. You can only play the cards you're dealt but I've got good players here. It's a matter of getting a strong team and cutting out the errors defensively and offensively."

York Acorn 'A' go to Beverley with both teams looking to get off the mark in the Yorkshire Men's League premier division after defeats last week, having both previously reached next month's Forty-20 Cup final.

Heworth host West Hull Lions 'A' likewise trying to get off the mark in division one.

Division two side York Lokomotive don't start their league campaign until the end of the month. Before then they have a friendly at home to Garforth Tigers on Saturday (2.30pm), prior to the York & District Cup match against New Earswick All Blacks seven days later.

The All Blacks have no game this weekend, meaning they will have a wait to complete their Pennine League championship division winter season, and the same goes for division four east winners Sherburn Bears.

Selby Warriors host Eastmoor Dragons in the last match of their division two campaign.