PAT SMITH and Will Jubb have won the battle to start York City Knights' new season in the pivotal hooking roles.

The dummy-half slots - those as starter and replacement off the bench - were two of the positions that were seemingly up for grabs for Sunday's opener against North Wales Crusaders in the League One Cup first round, with Smith and Jubb in a three-way race with Harry Carter.

The latter began last season on fire, being voted The Press Player of the Month for March, but he will have to wait his turn this term, having been left out of the 19-man squad. Instead, former skipper Smith and on-loan Hull KR youngster Jubb get the nod after impressing in Monday night's final friendly of pre-season against Hull.

"I was really impressed with how Pat Smith played on Monday night," explained Ford.

"He responded really well to Will Jubb coming into the group. It's given him a little nudge he maybe needed and on Monday it was his best performance I've seen in a long while."

He added: "I've gone with the players who are in the best form and who are the most deserving of shirts for this week, and I feel Will and Pat deserve theirs."

Elsewhere, James Haynes looks set to start in the centres, with Tommy Brierley and Dee Foggin-Johnston on the wings, though Ben Dent is also in the 19-man party.

Brad Hey is likely to start in the second row after his impressive pre-season, with the powerful Adam Robinson possibly to be utilised off the bench.

Tommy Saxton and Joe Batchelor miss the start of term after injury - though both have outside chances of featuring in the Challenge Cup against Egremont Rangers next week after stepping up training this week.

Added Ford of his selections: "Those 19 are the people who've deserved this opportunity the most, in terms of how they've played, how they've trained, their commitment and the attitude they've shown."

Meanwhile, North Wales Crusaders, League One Cup winners in 2015, are now coached by one-time York Wasps player and South Wales boss Mike Grady.

They have had two pre-season wins over the rebranded South Wales Ironmen, 22-6 and 20-18, following a 52-18 loss to Championship side Swinton in mid-January.

Ford said: "They've got some big players around the middle and they look like a team that have spent a lot of time on their shape.

"They will test us mentally and we'll need to be calm and composed. It will be a tough game but it's a challenge we're looking forward to."

Grady said: "York have assembled a strong squad and James Ford has done a fantastic job in bringing them all together despite their issues in the off-season.

“I have a lot of respect for what he’s done at York and they are not a side to be discounted this season.”

He added: “Both sides would like to have a run in this cup and it’s a good chance to get some silverware."

Knights (probable): Robson, Foggin-Johnston, Morrison, Haynes, Brierley, Sowerby, H Tyson-Wilson, B Tyson-Wilson, Jubb, Siddons, E Smith, Hey, Spears. Subs: P Smith, Moran, Dixon, Robinson. Stand-by: Thompson, B Dent.