YORK City Knights hooker Harry Carter has a chance to prove boss James Ford got it wrong - and that's according to the head coach himself.

The Knights host amateurs Egremont in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup third round on Sunday (3pm) and, with Hull KR not wanting on-loan pair Will Jubb and Kieran Moran cup-tied, Carter will be one of two enforced changes to the side that lost the season opener in agonising fashion to North Wales.

However, Ford admits his former Wakefield College student should perhaps have been picked last week too, the Knights maybe missing the 23-year-old as they conceded a last-minute equaliser and lost the League One Cup tie in golden-point extra time.

York Acorn ARLC Player of the Year Joe Porter, who penned a contract with his hometown pro club this week after a successful trial, comes in for Moran, and is likely to make his debut off the bench.

Said Ford: "I thought we missed Harry Carter a bit last Sunday, with his impact and his talk in defence.

"Maybe that was an error in team selection, not having him in the side, and Harry's got an opportunity to prove it was a mistake.

"I don't mind putting my hand up if it was wrong. I'd be pleased if Harry does prove me wrong."

In addition to Porter, fit-again Joe Batchelor could be a second debutant on Sunday, but Ford will otherwise make few changes, saying his new-look team needs game-time together ahead of next week's tough Kingstone Press League One opener at Barrow.

James Haynes could miss out if former Coventry back-rower Batchelor gets the nod.

Said Ford: "Two from Nev Morrison, James Haynes and Joe Batchelor will run in the centres. We haven't fully made our minds up yet.

"Joe looked promising (in the friendly) against Featherstone (before injury) and it'd be good to have a look at him before we go to Barrow.

"But Nev has played well, and we know James has got quality and needs more opportunity to get into a rhythm after his injuries."

Porter - along with props Bobby Tyson-Wilson, who played for West Hull last year, and Chris Siddons, the Lock Lane product - will be the few Knights players to have come up against Egremont in recent times.

Ford has also spoken to Acorn boss Leigh Paul-Rientoul for tips about the Cumbrian side who stayed up in the National Conference League premier division last year at the Blue and Golds' expense.

He added: "They beat Wigan St Patrick's (in round two), who are an excellent team, so we know we have to play to our potential."

On the decision not to make more changes, Ford added: "Like we said, there's no need for a knee-jerk reaction on the back of one narrow cup loss so early into our season.

"It's right to keep a similar team. We're new as a group and need to spend time on the field building combinations and relationships."

Knights (possible): Robson, Foggin-Johnston, Morrison, Batchelor, Brierley, Sowerby, H Tyson-Wilson, Siddons, Carter, Ronan Dixon, Brad Hey, Ed Smith, Tim Spears. Subs: Pat Smith, Adam Robinson, Joe Porter, Bobby Tyson-Wilson. Stand-by: Liam Thompson, James Haynes.