HEAD coach Gary Thornton insists his York City Knights players should celebrate in full their "fantastic achievement" when they collect the Kingstone Press Championship One trophy tomorrow – but the party won’t take focus off the real goal.

The Knights end their regular season at home to London Skolars (3pm), after which the league winners' silverware will be presented.

The game is also the last-ever league match at Huntington Stadium, and the club are hoping the trophy-lifting occasion will be marked by a season's best attendance.

Any party, though, will be stifled by the knowledge the main prize of promotion can only be achieved through the upcoming play-offs.

Said Thornton: "We’ve said all along there’s nothing this year for winning the league. But we’ve always said that it’s good to celebrate achievements and winning the league is a fantastic achievement.

“Whatever competition you’re in, if you win it, you should celebrate. The players deserve the recognition.

“At the same time we know we haven’t won what we want to win.

“Celebrating this won’t sidetrack us. We’ve two weeks before the semi-final. It’s a whole new ball game after tomorrow and it’s a different mindset and we will be training accordingly and making sure everybody is ready to go.”

Asked if this game would therefore be treated as a friendly, Thornton said: "Not at all. It's a preparation game for the play-offs, not a friendly. If people don't perform well, they're likely to miss out on a semi-final. I want to keep everyone on their toes."

York went clear at the top of the table as their comeback 20-18 victory at arch-rivals Hunslet last time out took their winning sequence to a club record nine games. Their title success was then sealed by Oldham’s defeat to Gateshead last week.

But Thornton added: “This is not a meaningless rubber. It’s a case of getting ready for what’s to come.

"It's about performing to the best of our ability. I want to keep our winning run going. The confidence that brings is invaluable.””

One notable inclusion in Thornton's 17 tomorrow is Benn Hardcastle, on his return from his loan spell at Gateshead Thunder, whom he has helped to secure a play-off berth.

Ben Reynolds switches to full-back in place of the injured James Haynes, with Hardcastle re-forming a half-back partnership with Pat Smith. Jonny Presley, who replaced the unavailable Reynolds against Hunslet last time out, again makes way.

"I want to have a look at everybody before the play-offs," said Thornton. "I've watched his games at Gateshead and he's done really well. Jonny Presley came in against Hunslet in a very difficult game. Benn's in good form so let's look at him."

James Ford also sits tomorrow out as a precaution due to niggling injuries, with Tyler Craig returning at centre.

Surprisingly, the new Players' Player of the Year, prop Jack Aldous, will start on the bench.

Explained Thornton: "He's been doing 70-80 minutes every game recently. It's the same with Ryan Mallinder. We just want to manage their minutes to keep them fresh and at the same time keep as strong a side as possible.”

Skolars coach Joe Mbu has a full squad to pick from for his side’s final game of the year.

He said: “We’re looking for a good effort and a good performance, and that’s all we can ask for.

“What we put in is what will reward us at the end.”

On York, he added: “Only two or three teams have been able to consistently win back-to-back games, and that’s the sign of a team that works hard and applies what it works on during the week. York are very well-drilled and well-disciplined.”

Knights (probable): Reynolds, B Dent, Minikin, Craig, Saltonstall, Hardcastle, P Smith, Roche, Lee, Brennan, E Smith, Mallinder, Paterson. Subs: from Brining, Aldous, Bell, Backhouse, Tonks, Presley.

Skolars (possible): Paxton, Macani, Cox, Mvududu, Tuffour, Bishay, Yates, Pelo, M Smith, Dollapi, Bryan, Lovell, Purslow. Subs: Sykes, Robinson, Wellings, Druce.

Referee: David Sharpe (Australia).