LEADING lights Ash Robson and Adam Robinson have not passed fit for York City Knights' trip to Oxford tomorrow - and in further blows they will be missing star hooker Andy Ellis and in-form back-rower Joe Batchelor too.

Boss James Ford is set to make five changes to the team that lost to North Wales as he looks to kickstart their League One campaign in a potential grudge match against a side featuring four ex-Knights.

However, former Castleford starlet Robson (quad) will not be one of them after he was deemed not quite ready to return, while prop Robinson (hamstring) - who was a big miss after limping out of the Crusaders match - is likewise still sidelined.

Veteran Ellis will also be absent due to non-rugby commitments arranged before he joined the club.

And, with the squad already getting down to the bare bones, Batchelor turned an ankle in training.

Ford nevertheless expected renewed energy in the ranks, following a week off, to see them through against an in-form expansion club buoyed by reaching the League One Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Ford said of Robson and Robinson: "They need a little bit more time to make sure that when they do come back they don't break down again."

On Ellis, who came out of retirement last month, Ford explained: "It was discussed at length when we signed him there would be one of two occasions when he wouldn't be available. He was honest with that."

He added: "Joe rolling an ankle is also a blow. He's been showing plenty of promise and was forming a good partnership on the left edge with Harry Tyson-Wilson."

The form of dual-reg Liam Harris at full-back reduced the need to rush Robson back, while fit-again Brad Hey, who started the season well before injury, is a straight swap for Batchelor.

There is probably a bigger issue for Ford in the middle - experience and size-wise.

Joe Porter is recalled, though, and Ford admitted he was "maybe wrong" to have left the former York Acorn loose-forward out against North Wales, the side having lacked his natural energy.

"Joe's response (to being left out) has been magnificent," added the head coach. "He's listened to feedback and shown up really well in practice. The result is he's back in the 17."

With Pat Smith still injured, Hull KR's Will Jubb returns on dual-reg to replace Ellis at hooker. He has recently impressed for St Helens reserves in one of the new - if bizarre - 48-hour loans permitted in reserve rugby.

New Hull loanee Nick Rawsthorne, as reported, is set for a debut at centre, with winger Tommy Brierley also recalled to the 19.

The Knights had no game last week, having already been knocked out of the League One Cup.

Ford said the break came at a good time.

"It's a new squad and it was good to let them have the weekend off to give themselves time to grow together off the field as well as on it," he explained.

"The data had suggested we were getting a bit fatigued and it was maybe right to let people unwind. I'm confident we'll see a more energetic, high-tempo performance."

Oxford's shock League One Cup win over London Skolars last week should act as a warning.

Tim Rumford's men have beaten three other fellow expansion teams this year, their only two losses coming against Cumbrians Whitehaven, in the Challenge Cup, and Workington.

In their squad are Casey Canterbury, Kane Riley and Curtis Macdonald, who had unsuccessful spells at York, plus Jordan Crowther, who impressed while on loan from Wakefield.

Ex-Knights packman Jack Pickles and Jake Joynt are also there but not involved tomorrow.

"They've had some decent results and performances," said Ford."Tim's doing a good job.

"We know Skolars are a good team and for Oxford to turn them over is a feather in their cap."

There will also be sibling rivalry tomorrow with Chris Siddons' brother, Jordan, in Oxford's line-up, which also boasts Wakefield dual-reg starlets Max Jowitt at full-back and Bradley Moules at hooker.

Ford added: "We need to go there thinking about us, and get back to the standards we've set in terms of energy, aggression and execution. If we do that, we won't be far away."

Knights (possible): Harris, Brierley or B Dent, Rawsthorne, Haynes, Saxton, Presley, H Tyson-Wilson, B Tyson-Wilson, Carter, C Siddons, Hey, E Smith, Spears. Subs: from Jubb, Moran,

Dixon, Porter, Morrison.

Oxford (probable): Jowitt, Macdonald, Riley, Hoggins, Atkinson, Fleming, Windley, Crowther, Canterbury, Cox, J Siddons, Burnett, Biscomb. Subs from: Moules, Alexander, Gill, Brooker, Cooke, McRae.