ROCHDALE boss Alan Kilshaw says York City Knights are the best League One team the Hornets have faced this season - and he'd prefer them to go up instead of title favourites Toulouse Olympique.

Kilshaw's side were comprehensively knocked out of the iPro Sport Cup by York in early April at Spotland, but he has since led the Lancastrians to the top of the table, with the only point they have dropped in nine league games so far being in a 28-28 draw against Toulouse.

York sit fourth, four points behind but with a game in hand, having won six, drawn one and lost one in the league, ahead of Sunday's rematch.

"York are a tough proposition," said Kilshaw. "I rate them the best side we've played so far, ahead of Toulouse, and, with home advantage, I'd say they probably edge us this weekend as favourites, particularly with that previous result against us.

"I like watching York play. I like the way they play - they play the game tough in defence and throw the ball about a bit as well.

"Toulouse are pretty much full-time - though there are a few noises that they're not - but when we played them I don't think they played in the right spirit of the game. York play hard but they're disciplined with it. The lads think that as well.

"We've been averaging 16 points against us and they put 40 on us - only Widnes (in the Challenge Cup) and York have done that."

On the promotion race, he added: "Keighley and Doncaster can't be ruled out, especially in one-off games, but I don't think at this stage they've been as consistent as Toulouse, York and ourselves.

"York have dropped a couple of points but that was more to do with their involvement in the iPro Sport Cup final. It's tough to go to Barrow (where York lost), especially after a semi-final.

"A few teams will be up there and I'd like to see two part-time teams go up and not a team that's been well-backed (financially) like Toulouse."

On the Hornets' own blistering form and table-top status, he added: "We'd like to be under the radar a bit - we weren't in people's thoughts at the start of the year and we're working off a small budget - but we're pleased with our performances and we're looking to improve."

The highlight of York's 40-16 win at Spotland earlier in the year was Brett Turner's memorable long-distance solo try, though the winger, who missed the midweek win over Coventry Bears, is again ruled out tomorrow due to illness.

Asked if the teams' previous meeting would count for much on Sunday, Kilshaw said: "It might give them confidence but we had a lot of personnel missing that day and we've improved since then, likewise York will have improved. I think it will be a better quality game, for sure."

Rochdale will be without Sam Wilde from the side that hammered South Wales a fortnight ago, as he was called up by parent club Warrington this weekend. Into a provisional 19-man squad come back-rower Jordan Case, hooker Alex McClurg and centre Dave Cookson.