ROCHDALE boss Ian Talbot has warned his table-topping side to watch out for little schemers Jonny Presley and Pat Smith ahead of their clash with York City Knights on Sunday.

Talbot, in addition to coaching the League One leaders, is on the backroom staff at St Helens and saw at first hand the Knights' free-flowing style when they visited the Super League champions in last month's Challenge Cup tie.

Presley and Smith have been pivotal in the way York play and, while they won't form a half-back partnership this weekend, with Smith switching to hooker, Presley's return from injury means they will both be on the pitch for the first time since that Langtree Park encounter.

Talbot, wary the pair can create havoc if the likes of Mark Applegarth can give the Knights good go-forward, said: “York were the most consistent side in this competition last year but fell at the final hurdle of the play-offs, which is tough to take.

"I got to see them first hand a couple of weeks ago at St Helens in the cup and was impressed with what they tried to do.

"They’ve got a few quality players. I’ve always been an admirer of Mark Applegarth, he’s a great go-forward player for them - and the halves Jonny Presley and Pat Smith. There are some good players there and they’ve depth across the park.”

As for the Hornets' own form ahead of Sunday's meeting at Post Office Road, Featherstone (3pm), Talbot said: “We’re going all right at the minute. We’ve had a couple of less-challenging games to rack up a few points but now there’s a few games that will really test our mettle and we’ll see where we really are.

"If we’re top of the league at the end of next month, we’ll be happy."

Knights boss James Ford, meanwhile, says this weekend's clash will not define their season - but victory would be significant.

His side are seeking their first win over likely play-off contenders at the fourth attempt, to augment their four victories over relative minnows.

Asked if this was a must-win match in the context of the season as a whole, Ford said: "All games are vital. We want to win every time we take to the field.

"It's an important game, part of our development. Beating the team at the top of the league would be significant, and signify our progress.

"Rochdale have got numerous good players.

"Wayne English is an experience and energetic full-back who gets them on the front foot early in the plays, and is someone we'll have to keep an eye on when we're defending.

"The back-rows are a handful - there'll be an interesting contest between Danny Briggs and our Ed Smith.

"I like how the half-backs (Ryan) Smith and (Danny) Yates play - they ask good questions and are attack-minded - and they've got a very big middle who try to get on top of teams and get good tempo.

"This is an opportunity for my players to correct one or two things we didn't do well last week at Newcastle."

The free buses for fans going to Sunday's game from York will depart Station Rise (outside the Cedar Court Hotel, near the railway station) at 12.45pm and 1.15pm.