BOSS James Ford has warned his York City Knights team to pay no heed to Newcastle’s injury list ahead of tonight’s League One clash at Kingston Park - saying any team the Tynesiders put out should be play-off contenders given the investment they have enjoyed.

Thunder’s three PNG internationals Jason Tali, Charlie Webo and Mark Mexico, along with Kiwi livewire Jordan Meads and former Knights Benn Hardcastle and Lee Mapals are among eight first-teamers who are unavailable.

But Ford pointed to his own lengthy list of crocked aces and reiterated his belief that squads not teams win trophies in the modern game - adding that Thunder’s extra clout following the takeover by rugby union club Newcastle Falcons means they should be eyeing promotion regardless.

“They’ve certainly got the potential to be in there,” said Ford when asked if he expected tonight’s hosts to be in the top-five play-offs come the end of term.

“They’ve got three or four internationals and a high-profile coach in Stanley Gene.

“They’ve been backed well off the field and if I was the chairman or the board I would expect to be in there with the investment they’ve made.”

Newcastle currently lie fourth with five wins from seven games, below Rochdale and Keighley only on points-difference. York are fifth with four wins from six, but an away victory by six points or more tonight (8pm) would see Ford's team go second ahead of the weekend's other League One matches.

“What 17 Stanley picks is up to him,” said Ford of Thunder’s team tonight. “Injuries and suspensions are part and parcel of rugby league - as we are very aware of ourselves at the moment, with our squad being tested with the injuries we’ve got.

“Teams don’t win leagues or play-offs or cups, squads do, and I’m sure Stanley will be confident in the blokes he brings in.

“Newcastle have invested heavily and will have good players to choose from, and those players will want to show they’re as good as the likes of Mark Mexico and Jason Tali. “It will be a tough test for us, but it’s one we’re confident of passing.”

Newcastle came from 18-0 and 24-16 down to beat York 38-24 in the iPro Sport Cup early this season.

Both teams will be much changed but Ford reckoned tonight’s encounter would still give pointers to how his side have progressed.

“There are so many variables in a performance that you can never gauge progress on a scoreline alone,” he explained.

“You look at the processes, composure, discipline, consistency, etc, and I reckon we can get a fair indication of how far we’ve come, regardless of the personnel.

“Newcastle have a good squad and that’s who we’re facing.”

Thunder’s last outing, when their PNG aces along with Hardcastle were all missing, was a 45-20 reverse at leaders Oldham.

But Ford warned: “There were two good teams on the day. Oldham are renowned as being difficult to beat, especially at home, and a couple of decisions and the bounce of the ball went against Newcastle, and these could have changed the game.

Oldham also got a couple of breakaway tries at the end which made the scoreline bigger.”

As for York’s last outing, the 70-0 thrashing of struggling South Wales, Ford said: “There were things we could have done better but I really liked how the lads took on the feedback we gave them and kicked on.

“We’re improving as a team. Our fluency with the ball is noticeably better than it was a month ago, never mind the last time we played Newcastle.”

Ford makes only one change to the 17 from that night, with Harry Carter back in at hooker, and teenager Liam Richmond making way.

Scott Glassell, who made his debut as replacement hooker against the Scorpions, will be used as replacement loose-forward this time.

Fellow newcomer Jordan Howden, The Press man of the match that night, stays at stand-off, with Jonny Presley among the eight men still on the treatment table.

Newcastle: from Kain, Sheriff, Blair Brown, Hallett, Marsh, Beharrell, Barron, Simons, Martins, D Craig, Welsh, R Clarke, Stamp, Fewlass, Bowring, MacDonald, Payne, Stoker.

Knights (probable): B Dent, T Craig, Minikin, Cunningham, Waterman, Howden, P Smith, Applegarth, Carter, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Mallinder. Subs: Canterbury, Nicholson, Pickles, Glassell. Stand-by: Morrison, Richmond.