York City Knights on a hiding to nothing in Toulouse? It's a "chance to write an amazing story", says head coach

The Knights team are on a hiding to nothing having travelled to Toulouse two men light, with only one prop, a winger filling in as replacement front-rower, and James Haynes pencilled in for only ten minutes' action on his return from a knee reconstruction and a year out.

Five others have only a handful of appearances between them in recent weeks due to injury, while the squad as a whole will have been drained, too, by the past week’s off-field saga in which they were told the club was being wound up and they were free to leave – only to stick together.

The powerful full-time French hosts, conversely, are at full strength as they seek to continue their charge to promotion from League One, unbeaten all term averaging 50 points per game.

"The important thing is we're playing the game," said Ford. "It was in doubt for a number of days. It's a victory in itself for my boys.

"As a group we've not spoken about the final score. We've set performance-related targets and hopefully we'll be there at the end. The team we've got, the people we've got are good enough.

"There's been a lot of adversity hampering our preparation and we're missing a number of players. But it's about the boys who are here. It's an opportunity for them to write an amazing story."

Asked if he really thought they had any chance, he said: "Yes I do. I've seen this group up close for the best part of two years.

"Their character, their endeavour - they've got all that in abundance.

"It's an inspiration at times."

Five first-team regulars haven't been able to travel at short notice due to work, the game only finally getting the green light late in the week. Others are sidelined by injury and top-scorer Kriss Brining stays home for a family funeral.

Andy Smith, the former Bradford winger who has played only three times since resurrecting his career after a few years out, will start as one of only two replacements, to be used up top.

Back-rower Matty Dale will also start at prop on his return to action, while Rich Wilkinson is back at full-back, Adam Dent back on the wing and Brad Hey in at centre. Haynes is the other sub.

"We tried a few combinations in training and we're going with what we feel best suits how we're set up to play," said Ford, who insisted his team would still try to entertain.

"Even with only 15 we're not going to try to kill the game, we're going to try to play. We're attack-minded, we'll certainly have a crack at them.

"We'll have to play a very different way. But people can expect to see 15 desperate, together people all with their hearts on their sleeve."

He added: "Andy (Smith) is big and strong enough to play up there. It's not his preferred position but he's willing to put the team before himself, which is a great characteristic to have. All these lads have that in abundance."

The latest blow for Ford came as the team were set to travel, on-loan Brandon Westerman pulling out ahead of his debut to leave them even lighter.

Asked why, Ford said: "I don't know, I've not heard from him. He won't play for York while I'm coach."

Confirmation on Thursday night that the club would see out the season as a takeover bid continued at least meant the week ended on a more positive note. It also means focus can soon shift back onto the team's promotion hopes again.

"It's a massive weight off everyone's shoulders," said Ford.

"After this game we can start preparing for the rest of the Super 8s and give ourselves the best chance possible to finish as high as possible.

"We still fancy our chances of doing well, despite all the rubbish we've had to deal with.

"I'd certainly not write this group off. Recent actions will galvanise them further.

"They were a pretty tenacious team before. They'll be some anger in our performances as we're not happy about what's gone on."

Asked if there was a danger the players could be demotivated, Ford said: "The players had an opportunity to leave. They decided to stay and fight to achieve our goals.

"They've trained really well throughout this saga.

"It's human nature for it to have played on people's minds - it's affected me - but the rest of season is in front of us and I'm confident we can focus on these games and rip into them."

Toulouse: from Kheirallah, Maurel, Ader, White, Minga, Ford, Boyer, K Bentley, Planas, Curran, Kriouache, Puech, Canet, Marion, Hepi, Ferret, Hulme, Leha, Mika.

Knights (probable): Wilkinson, A Dent, Morland, Hey, Saxton, Presley, P Smith, Aldous, Carter, Dale, E Smith, Tonks, Emmett. Subs: A Smith, Haynes.