JAMES FORD has played down Dewsbury Rams' supposed injury crisis - insisting his York City Knights side remain "enormous underdogs" for tonight's Ladbrokes Challenge Cup fifth round clash.

The Rams have lost three of their four Championship matches since toppling giants Bradford Bulls 31-30 , shipping 136 points in those defeats.

Head coach Glenn Morrison, having had 11 players out for last Sunday's rematch with Bradford in the league, which the Bulls won 52-18, says that list has now risen to 14, with players having had to be withdrawn from last night’s reserves match against Keighley in order to field a full complement tonight. He reckons the visitors are therefore odds-on to go through.

But Knights boss Ford is paying little heed to the Kirklees club's predicament, saying the home side would still fancy their chances against an outfit from a division below - regardless of his own team's seven-match winning streak.

"We're fully aware we are enormous underdogs, playing a team who finished in the top half of the league above us last season,” he said, notwithstanding the buoyant mood in the York camp.

"I just don't buy into this 'injury crisis' thing. All teams have injuries and you just have to deal with it, and Dewsbury will deal with it.

"They have a good squad and a good coach, and whatever team he puts out will fancy their chances.

"We've got injuries too. Injuries are part and parcel of rugby league.

"Is it a good time to play them? I don't know - I'll tell you after the game.

"What I do know is it will be a tough game regardless of the personnel Glenn Morrison goes with.

"They're playing regular Championship rugby league at a good intensity and ferocity, and they have some outstanding quality in all positions.

"The task my team face is an enormous one - but they're really excited by it.”

Ford has reiterated, meanwhile, that the Challenge Cup is not a competition they are targeting – but it is one they want to grace as well as they can.

"It's not a priority for us - we don't have any targets to win it or anything like that - but we want to go as far as we can.

"It's a famous competition and we're proud to be in it."

As expected, Ford makes wholesale changes to his team again after last week’s League One trip to Hemel.

There were eight alterations that day and there are six this time, with captain Jack Aldous, player/assistant-coach Mark Applegarth, Harry Carter, and Brad Hey, James Morland and Austin Buchanan returning.

Ben Dent has won the battle for a wing berth, despite Brett Turner’s stunning try double against Rochdale, while big-hitting loanee Ross Osbourne keeps a place in the pack.

Fellow new recruit Matty Dale is not being risked five days after his first outing in 18 months following a knee reconstruction.

Osbourne has been freed up to play by parent club Hull, despite the fact he will become cup-tied. In-form back-rower Jordan Crowther, however, has not been cleared by Wakefield.

Dewsbury have lost playmaker Paul Sykes (hamstring), middle men Ryan Hepworth (knee) and Luke Adamson (ankle/hip) and centre Jason Crookes (suspended) from the team that lost to Bradford, while Bulls loanee Etu Uaisele is cup-tied.

Into the 19-man squad come big centre Karl Pryce, half-backs Dom Speakman and James Glover, and pack men Aaron Brown, Sam Bates and Jonny Walker, the latter also on loan from Odsal.

Morrison said: "In our team run (on Wednesday night) we had 14. I've watched York - they're undefeated and playing some good footy. They're a settled team. I think they will be favourites even though we're above them going into it. With 14 players out of my top squad, it's pretty tough but we'll do our best."

Veteran former Knight Rob Spicer (knee) is among those ruled out, while fellow former York favourite Ben Reynolds is no longer at Tetley's Stadium having been recalled from his season-long loan by Leigh.

Dewsbury: from Guzdek, Morton, Pryce, Grady, Grant, Kain, Glover, Jackson, Hemingway, Walker, Hale, Farrell, Bates, Brown, Speakman, Conroy, Teanby, Trout, Tonks.

Knights: Wilkinson, B Dent, Hey, Morland, Buchanan, Presley, Nicklas, Waller, Carter, Aldous, J Tonks, E Smith, Emmett. Subs: Brining, Spiers, Applegarth, Osbourne. Standby: P Smith, Anderson, Craig.