YORK City Knights boss James Ford has warned his squad their weekend off will be scrapped if tonight's performance suggests they need to do more on the training field.

Ford has so far spoken highly of his players' efforts in pre-season but that will be put the test tonight as they take on Castleford Tigers in their delayed first run-out of 2016 at Bootham Crescent (7.30pm).

He expects an encouraging 80 minutes on the pitch, hence the plan to give his troops a few days off afterwards. But, with their previous two friendlies having been cancelled due to bad weather and only a low-key run-out against amateurs York Acorn to come before competitive action starts on February 21, he is keen to quickly put wrongs right if their display indicates there is more to work on then thought.

"We haven't planned a session as I want to reward the boys for their efforts," said Ford when asked if they were likely to train again this weekend.

"I'm confident they'll give a good display, so more than likely no, we won't be in over the weekend.

"But it depends on the boys."

He added: "We'll have a squad of 18 or 19 and will run it like a normal game.

"We're playing a Super League club with an outstanding coach in Daryl Powell and we want to give a good account of ourselves.

"We won't be making wholesale changes through the game and losing fluidity like sometimes happens in typical pre-season rugby league friendlies when you run with big squads."

Ford, meanwhile, confirmed the club were still looking to arrange an extra friendly against professional opposition following their call-offs.

However, with Super League and Championship campaigns starting in early February, any opposition would more than likely come from third-tier rivals, though a Super League academy side could also be a possibility.

That is if they find a team also wanting an additional run-out.

On the importance of tonight's game, he said: "As we move through the weeks, it becomes more and more important to have a look at different combinations and find fluidity before the competitive games start.

"There's not so much pressure on the outcome but we want to show up well.

"We've worked really hard and feel we've travelled some distance, and we want to show people we're improving and are a team and club to be respected."

Given the Knights have no reserve team this year, Ford is wary that, especially with the two call-offs, some players might not get much game-time to impress.

He said: "You have to play the cards you're dealt.

"We've got the session against Acorn and we're trying to arrange another pre-season game.

"We can also adjust our training to get more game simulation to hit the ground running.

"Some people might have to be patient, wait for their opportunity and, when it comes, to make sure they're physically and mentally ready to take it."

The Knights will be without Tyler Craig tonight after he picked up a glute strain, with Adam Dent to start on the wing instead.

Danny Nicklas is also doubtful due to a minor hamstring complaint.

Trialist Jack Anderson stays on the sidelines due to a shoulder problem, adding to those on the treatment table long-term - James Haynes, Ben Dent, Austin Buchanan and Micky Learmonth - and Pat Smith, who is working abroad.

As reported, ex-Knight Greg Minikin, former Acorn junior Ash Robson, and Super League players Ryan Boyle, Gadwin Springer, Ryan Hampshire and Will Maher are in the Tigers' 18-man squad, which is otherwise made up largely of under-19s.

Ford added: "They're a group of highly thought of young full-time players who'll be looking to catch Daryl Powell's eye and earn a role at the start of their season.

"People like Ryan Boyle and Gadwin Springer are very good players. Their team will provide a very difficult challenge for us."

Knights: from Turner, Morrison, Morland, England, A Dent, Presley, Wilkinson, Nicklas, Waller, Brining, Carter, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Emmett, Spiers, Applegarth, Mallinder, Hey.

Castleford: Tigers: from Adamson, Boyle, Cooke, Diskin, Dixon, Douglas, Fitzsimmons, Gill, Hampshire, Hitchcox, Maher, Million, Minikin, O’Neill, Robson, Sheehan, Springer, Westerman.