FORMER Coventry back-rower Liam Thompson is set for his York City Knights debut at big-spending Barrow Raiders tomorrow.

Thompson, who missed much of pre-season after surgery but played in the friendly against Hull, replaces Chris Siddons, who suffered ankle ligament damage in last week's Challenge Cup win over Egremont.

Head coach James Ford otherwise keeps a similar line-up to that which put 10 tries past the amateurs, with Harry Carter and Pat Smith retaining the hooking roles for the opening clash of the Kingstone Press League One campaign.

On loan Hull KR duo Will Jubb, the hooker, and prop Kieran Moran miss out on recalls, having been unavailable for last week's cup tie.

Barrow boss Paul Crarey, whose side are big favourites, had 22 players to choose from but likewise keeps a similar squad to that which beat Rochdale Mayfield 60-6 in the cup.

Matty While is the one player omitted, with centre Andy Litherland and pivot Dan Abram back in the 19-man squad after being rested last week, and former Royal Marine Tom Loxam also added after a successful trial. He is vying for a place out wide as he eyes an early debut.

Fellow winger Brett Carter was also available again but Crarey has stuck with young Luke Cresswell.

Former Workington prop Tom Walker made his debut last week and stays involved.

Back-rower/centre Liam Harrison, so often a Knights tormentor down the years, retired over the winter but ex-Worky star Jarrad Stack is a quality replacement, while the likes of veterans Ollie Wilkes and Martin Aspinwall provide Super League experience in the middle.

Hooker Karl Ashall (broken arm), back-rower Matty Holmes (broken arm), Max Wiper (cartilage) and Chris Fleming (foot) are sidelined.

Barrow (possible): Fieldhouse, Toal, Stack, Hulme, Cresswell, Dallimore, Charnock, Bullock, Marwood, Wilkes, Morrow, Crellin, Aspinwall. Subs: from Mossop, Dawson, Walker, Litherland, Abram, Loxam.

Knights (possible): Robson, Foggin-Johnston, Batchelor, Morrison, Brierley, Sowerby, H Tyson-Wilson, Robinson, Carter, Dixon, Hey, E Smith, Spears. Subs: from P Smith, Thompson, Porter, B Tyson-Wilson, Haynes, B Dent.