YORK City Knights may have to play this weekend's Super 8s fixture against Barrow Raiders in Castleford following a fresh row over use of Bootham Crescent.

The Knights have a contract with City of York Council to play matches at York City's ground as part of the council's much-delayed community stadium scheme.

But the Kingstone Press League One club have been told that they can only play on the pitch this Sunday if the kick-off is moved forward THREE hours to noon.

Promotion rivals Barrow are unlikely to want to play so early in the day because of the time that is needed to travel down from Cumbria.

However, the game is still expected to go ahead on Sunday because Super League club Castleford have offered to stage the game at their home, The Jungle, with a 3pm kick-off.

Knights owner John Guildford said: "Once again, we are being frustrated by a situation that is not of our own making and it will cost us money if we switch the game to Castleford. It's not ideal but what can we do?"

The Knights had initially offered to play the game on Saturday afternoon - when Sunday's proposed 3pm kick off was, according to the club, blocked by the Council - but that was unacceptable to Barrow and the Rugby Football League.

Now the Council have indicated to the club that the game can take place on Sunday afternoon but only if the kick-off is moved forward three hours.

That will give York City FC more time - even if only three hours - to prepare the pitch and stadium for their first home game of the Vanarama National League against Macclesfield Town next Tuesday night.

"We are not angry with Barrow or the RFL," said Guildford. "This is an important game for both clubs and a big four pointer. But why are the Council not insisting that we play our games as we were told we would be allowed to?"

No-one from City of York Council was available for comment.