JAMES FORD has refused to contemplate which of Super League's big guns he would prefer York City Knights to be drawn against in a potential Challenge Cup sixth-round money-spinner - saying they have a job on to negotiate round five first.

The Knights travel to Leigh Sports Village (2pm) without crocked captain James Haynes - a big blow for head coach Ford - but still as favourites to beat amateurs Leigh Miners Rangers and reach the stage where the game's biggest teams enter.

And, with the community stadium saga still leaving them homeless, they could do with a plum tie to bolster the coffers.

But Ford says they must treat the opposition with the utmost respect, otherwise come a cropper. And, to that end, he hasn't even thought about Monday night's draw.

"Leigh Miners are in the top league and are a top, top amateur club with a number of players who probably could play pro rugby league and who probably have done at some level," said Ford, who has already warned his troops to expect a barrage on and off the field as the Lancashire rugby league community gets behind the underdogs.

"We will have to be on our game.

"I'm not banking on getting though so I'm not considering Monday's draw.

"It's important for York for the club to progress into the last 16. It gives rugby league in the area a boost. We're focusing on Sunday, we're not thinking further than Sunday. We're giving them respect - they deserve it. Leigh is a big rugby league area and they're a good team.

"We're treating it like we would any big game and I'm sure it will be a good spectacle."

Rangers have won all three of their matches so far in the amateur game's flagship competition, the National Conference League premier division, and in the last round of the cup shocked Oxford 32-6, whom York beat 44-20 in League One last weekend.

Ford reckons they will be the best team his men have faced in the cup so far, having beaten another community club, NCL division one outfit Featherstone Lions, and League One minnows South Wales in the previous rounds.

"I think it will be tougher than Featherstone Lions, and that's no disrespect to the Lions," said Ford.

"Leigh Miners very much deserved to beat Oxford. The full-back is strong and fast, the stand-off is a good running player, the right-edge centre is very quick, the left-edge half is dangerous, and the hooker is a good player, giving good service and running when it's on - I could go on."

Ford received a late blow with Haynes being ruled out by a back issue, meaning Ben Dent returns to the line-up at full-back.

New signing Casey Canterbury, the club have now discovered, is cup-tied so, like Huddersfield loanee Mick Learmonth, must wait to make his debut.

However, Harry Carter is fit, despite concussion last week, and will again share hooking duties with Kriss Brining, who returns from injury.

Jack Pickles also returns to the bench in place of Jay Leary.

Tyler Craig, who bagged two tries on the wing last week, is doubtful with a calf strain, so Kane Riley and Adam Dent are on standby.

Pete Aspinall is to submit an early guilty plea after being charged by the Rugby Football League with running in and punching in last week's win. His case will be heard on Tuesday so any ban won't start until after this weekend.

Knights (probable): B Dent, Craig, Minikin, Cunningham, Morrison, Presley, P Smith, Applegarth, Brining, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Roche. Subs: Carter, Malliner, Aspinall, Pickles. Standby: A Dent, Riley, Iley, Nicholson.