INEXPERIENCE holds no fears for James Ford in tomorrow's League One semi-final - with York City Knights' rookie boss arguing his young guns have "gained ten years' experience in one season".

Winger Nev Morrison has not recovered from a broken finger and, with skipper James Haynes a long-term casualty, Ford is poised to put his faith in youth in a back line with an average age of 21.

Take out Jonny Presley, 31, and Mark Applegarth, 30, and the average age of the remaining 17 in the 19-man squad remains below 22. Birthday boy Ben Dent, who turns 24 tomorrow, is among the old heads.

Hosts Swinton, meanwhile, boast former Super League star Stuart Littler, 36, crack full-back Richie Hawkyard, 29, Wales international Jordan James, 35, and much-travelled Tommy Gallagher, 32, who turned out for York back in 2003, though several team-mates are likewise under 23.

"We've got a lot of youth and enthusiasm, and they've perhaps got a bit more experience," said Ford. "Let's see who comes out on top.

"My team are getting experience all the time. Many of these blokes experienced the play-offs last year and how many players in the game have had to deal with what my players have had to deal with this year (with the off-field situation)?

"They've had ten years' worth of experience in one season. They've gained experience by dealing with what they've dealt with."

That back line is set to feature fit-again Tyler Craig after four games out, with Ben Dent switching to full-back and Jordan Howden reverting to half-back alongside Presley.

Captain Pat Smith would then move from scrum-half to hooker, explaining Harry Carter's omission.

James Morland, 20, is set to remain in the centres, probably going head to head in a key battle with Littler, who remarkably will go round again next year after agreeing a new deal with the Lions.

Morland has only played 11 first-grade games of rugby league, and only three since returning from rugby union, while Littler, who scored a hat-trick in the last meeting at Park Lane, has topped 400, most in the top flight.

But Ford said: "I've got a lot of confidence in James. He's impressed everyone since coming back and he's got a great opportunity to display his potential against an established player."

In the pack, Colton Roche has passed fit while Ryan Mallinder could start in the second row with Josh Tonks going onto the bench.

There could be several alterations to the side that lost to Barrow, with Ford to confirm his line-up late.

Of any changes, Ford said: "We've had two weeks to prepare for this and I'm happy with how preparations have gone.

"Swinton are a different team to Barrow and we need to look at different combinations. We'll set up differently. How Swinton play suits us."

Swinton are at full-strength barring long-term crock Darren Hawkyard.

Swinton: from R Hawkyard, Robinson, Littler, Rothwell, Butt, White, Atkin, Morrison, Ackers, James, Thornley, R Lloyd, Lever, Gallagher, Barlow, Austin, Dwyer, A Lloyd, Aaronson.

Knights: from B Dent, A Dent, Minikin, Morland, Hey, Craig, Presley, Howden, P Smith, Applegarth, Learmonth, E Smith, Mallinder, Tonks, Aldous, Brining, Nicholson, Roche, Blagbrough.