BARROW Raiders coach Paul Crarey has predicted a 'war' tomorrow against York City Knights at Bootham Crescent.

With both sides locked in the battle for promotion and memories of a stormy fixture last season still fresh in the mind, Crarey is under no illusions about the likely nature of the Super 8s contest.

"When we played them last year it was a war - and we’re expecting that again," he said. "I think York will be our sternest test out of the first three (Super 8s) games.”

Barrow forward Anthony Bate was banned for six games after going into the stands to confront York fans last season following a red card for punching Harry Carter.

York coach James Ford later described Bate's behaviour as an 'absolute disgrace' and said any Knights player who had acted in that manner would have been kicked out of the club.

Bate, meanwhile, is set to line-up in the Barrow side tomorrow.

Buoyed by victories in their last five games, third placed Barrow are two points ahead of fourth placed Knights having played a game more.

They also enjoyed a comfortable 50-12 victory when the two sides last met, three months ago, and beat Doncaster 40-12 last weekend.

“We’ve hit some form," said Crarey. "Against Doncaster, in the first half particularly, we were very good, held our shape and played really well. In the second half we tried to score off every play, which probably let us down. We’re looking to improve as a group and looking forward to this week for what will be a very, very tough game."

Crarey is aware of the issues that have dogged the Knights over the last month but says they are unlikely to be a factor in tomorrow's game.

"York have had a tough couple of weeks off -the-field but I don’t think it will affect the playing group," he insisted. "I think James Ford sets up his team very, very well. They are rigid in their structure and very, very clinical.

"They don’t give penalties away," he added. "And their completion rates are high, and they’ve got good halves, which is a recipe for a great team.

“I think they are one of the best-structured sides in the competition and we’re not going to take them lightly. It will be really tough. I think the Super 8s are a great concept, you can see the teams lift because they’ve got to and the mindset changes,"

Barrow half-back Jamie Dallimore is doubtful while second row Danny Morrow is serving a five-match ban.