JAMES FORD wants to build on the new-found positivity at York City Knights tomorrow as the rebranded club make their 2017 Bootham Crescent bow.

Ford's much-changed team take on Championship big guns London Broncos (3pm) in the first of two home fixtures before the League One season kicks off.

The game, while important for the team's preparations, has off-field significance too as it marks the return of rugby league to York City's ground after all the uncertainty at the end of last season plus the takeover and protracted tenancy talks.

"There's some positivity around the club now - just take the good stuff on social media," said head coach Ford.

"There seems to be a bit of a buzz for rugby league in the city and the club have responded to that by letting under-16s in for free.

"Things like that show that the new owners are wanting to build something for the long-term. There are some little initiatives they're planning to increase viewing figures, and it would be wonderful if people in and around York come in numbers to support the team.

"About two-and-a-half thousand came to watch us against York Acorn (in the Challenge Cup) last year which shows support is there for rugby league in this city.

"There's an air of positivity now and it would be great to see people back down enjoying a good contest."

Asked if tomorrow's result was important in terms of boosting that positivity - and whether an easier opening home game would therefore have been preferable to one against a full-strength full-time outfit - Ford said: "It's always important to give a good performance.

"Whenever a player enters the field, they're judged by supporters, the opposition and their peers, and everyone always wants to perform better than in the previous match. We're no different.

"We're all still learning and the team is still growing but I do expect us to show improvement and if we do that I'm sure the supporters will be right behind us.

"It will be a tough match but it's part of our preparations and it's all about building for North Wales Crusaders (in the League One Cup first round on February 19) and Barrow (in the League One opener on March 4)."

The Broncos were also meeting London Skolars today but were leaving their reserves in the capital for that match while bringing their first team north for the last run-out before their Championship campaign begins next week.

"We want to start the game a bit better than last time when we conceded a penalty on play five while a couple of poor errors took the game away from us early on," said Ford, referring to York's opening friendly at Featherstone.

"If we can start with vigour and intensity we can be competitive opponents for London.

"We've worked on a few areas in training that we hadn't done before Featherstone so I'd expect us to improve.

"It's still part of our progression, though, and I'll learn more about our strengths and weaknesses physically and mentally."

As reported, prop Micky Learmonth has been released, but big new signing Adam Robinson makes his bow in the pack.

York teenager Matty Downes is set for another run off the bench as he continues his trial, likewise half-back Josh Kittrick, but fellow trialist Joe Porter, as reported, is unavailable due to pre-arranged family commitments.

Elsewhere, Ben Dent is back on the wing, with brother Adam on the bench, both having missed the Featherstone game.

Tommy Saxton stays sidelined, though, as he continues his recuperation. Liam Thompson remains in rehab too, while Joe Batchelor and Adam Swift joined them on the treatment table after the Featherstone match.

Knights: Robson, Foggin-Johnston, Haynes, Morrison, B Dent, Sowerby, H Tyson-Wilson, Siddons, Carter, Robinson, Hey, E Smith, Spears. Subs: A Dent, Brierley, Kittrick, Dixon, B Tyson-Wilson, P Smith, Downes.

Broncos: from Ackers, Adebiyi, Battye, Barthau, Dixon, Garside, Harrison, Hellewell, Ioane, Kear, Offerdahl, Pearce-Paul, Pitts, Pointer, Purtell, Roqica, Sammut, Spencer, Williams.