LET'S show Newcastle what we're really about.

That's the message from York City Knights boss James Ford ahead of tomorrow's Kingstone Press League One six-pointer at Elmpark Way (3pm).

Thunder handed rookie boss Ford his maiden defeat when they won 38-24 in the iPro Sport Cup at Clifton Park in March.

They then followed up with a 32-14 League One victory at Kingston Park on May 31 in front of a bumper Magic Weekend crowd in the North East.

That latter Knights display has been rated one of their worst of the season – and Ford says it's time for payback.

"We weren't great the last two times we played them and, while I don't think either scoreline reflected the efforts we put in, it's time we put together a decent performance against them," he said.

"For the first hour (at Kingston Park) we were very off – our skill was off and we lacked energy. But we had a good review from that and won our next four games, including against Rochdale and Swinton.

"We learned a lot from it and we'll see this weekend how much we've progressed. We asked one or two questions of ourselves after that game and I was really pleased with the response.

"We came away with our pride dented but the boys really upped their efforts in training and that was clear to see in the performances that followed.

"We're in this together – the players, coaching staff and supporters. All our prides were dented with how we performed up there and we're really looking forward to playing them again and letting them know what we're all about."

Despite previous head-to-heads, the Knights currently sit above the Tynesiders in the table – albeit only on points-difference, two of four clubs locked on 18 points, just four off the summit. Only five points separate the top eight in the race for the top-five play-offs.

The homeless York club are also unbeaten in the three matches they have played at tomorrow's venue, although Ford reasoned that Thunder probably travel as favourites.

He said: "They've beaten us twice – looking at that, I suppose they are. They'll be confident.

"It's a big game for both clubs. There's not a lot of difference between the teams in the top half. We've got to hit our standards."

Ford makes three changes to the side that saw off Gloucestershire All Golds.

Nev Morrison – available again following a family bereavement – replaces Tyler Craig in the outside-backs, a move which could see James Clare switch inside to centre despite his four-try haul on the wing last week. The pair could swap positions during the game.

Kriss Brining replaces Harry Carter as replacement hooker, with Ford hoping his omission last week will give him the necessary kick up the backside to be a real dangerman tomorrow, while fit-again Colton Roche is pressing for a recall in the pack, with Jack Blagbrough potentially the one to miss out.

Jordan Howden has been passed fit, while skipper James Haynes has won the battle for the full-back berth.

The Knights follow tomorrow's game with five against teams in the bottom half, where they would be expected to pick up maximum points. Victory this weekend could therefore put them in great stead.

But Ford warned: "We're not looking too far ahead. We've just been putting our energies and focus into the Newcastle game and we will look at those games when we get to them.

"Winning this game can certainly help us fulfil our ambitions – but they're a good team and we'll need to be well prepared."

Since beating York, Newcastle have seen Kiwi playmaker Jordan Meads return down under and they have lost to Swinton, Barrow and Rochdale.

They have won three games too but these included an unconvincing victory over struggling London Skolars and last week's 40-26 defeat of Hemel, which did not inspire head coach Stanley Gene.

"A win is a win," said Gene of that match, which saw the return of ex-York half-back Benn Hardcastle after a three-month lay-off.

"It's not bad winning games when you're not playing well. We were looking at getting a performance to go into the York and Keighley games but we didn't. But it's two points and we'll move on.

"York are a good side but we've beaten them twice so we'll be full of confidence."

Full-back Stuart Kain and Jason Payne are notable absentees from Newcastle's 19-man squad.

Knights (probable): Haynes, B Dent, Channing, Clare, Morrison, Howden, Presley, Applegarth, P Smith, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Learmonth. Subs: Brining, Mallinder, Nicholson, Roche. Stand-by: Blagbrough, Carter.

Newcastle (from): Sheriff, Blades, Blair, Brown, Capper, Beharrell, Hardcastle, Barron, Wabo, Martins, Clarke, Craig, Esslemont, Fewlass, Hallett, Mexico, Simons, Stoker, Welsh.