BEN COCKAYNE is set to turn back the clock and fill in at scrum-half for York City Knights in their Challenge Cup tie with Swinton on Sunday - should the game get the go-ahead.

The former Hull KR and Wakefield star made his name in Super League at full-back or on the wing, and has featured only out wide for the Knights so far this term.

However, with no dual-reg players coming over from partner club Hull KR this weekend and young Liam Jackson doubtful because of illness, the 34-year-old veteran is set to fill in alongside Connor Robinson in the halves.

It's the position he played when first turning pro at Doncaster a dozen years ago.

"We planned to include Liam Jackson - he deserved another opportunity - but he's picked up an illness and we're unsure whether he'll be fit," said boss James Ford of the ex-Heworth amateur who impressed in round three against Askam but was replaced for the League One match at Oldham by Rovers' Matty Marsh.

"We'll give him every chance but we don't want him to play if he's not feeling his best.

"Ben trained at half-back and looked good. He started (his career) as a half and got moved to full-back. The two positions, attacking-wise, are similar these days, and Ben has good skills and good understanding.

"He's a running threat as well and a good communicator. He's probably more aggressive than the average half-back, but that's a positive."

With Bootham Crescent currently waterlogged, the tie has been switched to Featherstone Rovers' stadium, although that ground must also pass a pitch inspection.

The Knights, having forfeited home advantage, will also be without Huddersfield loanee Colton Roche, with the Giants not wanting him cup-tied. The same goes for dual-reg Hull KR players.

Roche was otherwise the only player in the current Knights squad to have featured the last time York met Swinton - when the Lions scored a last-ditch equaliser and golden-point drop-goal winner in the 2015 League One play-off semi-final.

Fellow prop Adam Robinson also sits this one out, the veteran being rested with two league games in five days coming up against Keighley and Doncaster, while Ronan Dixon (hamstring) remains sidelined.

Their absences this week means Rory Dixon and Dan Hawksworth come into the pack, while Joe Batchelor switches back to the second row with Jake Normington recalled in the centres.

Youngster Judah Mazive and veteran Tommy Saxton are vying for the wing spot vacated by Cockayne.

Hull KR loanee Kieren Moss continues at full-back having already featured in the cup for York.

Championship strugglers Swinton are likewise forced into four changes to the side that lost at Featherstone Rovers last week - with the dual-reg Wigan trio of winger Jack Higginson, half-back Josh Woods and prop Oliver Partington and on-loan Salford front-rower Gavin Bennion unavailable.

Into their 19 come forwards Andy Thornley, Aaron Hall and Mark Nicholson, half-back Jack Hansen, utility back Conor Taylor, and winger Marcus Webb.

Knights (probable): Moss, Robson, Hey, Normington, Mazive, Cockayne, C Robinson, Horne, Ellis, Hawksworth, Batchelor, Scott, Spears. Subs: Jubb, Siddons, Porter, Rory Dixon. Also in 19: Jackson, Saxton.

Swinton (possible): Fell, Butt, Hankinson, Tyson, Webb, J Hansen, Fairclough, Bracek, H Hansen, Thornley, Lloyd, Sarsfield, Barlow. Subs: from Austin, Hall, Shelford, Waterworth, Taylor, Nicholson.

* JAKE Butler-Fleming, who left York for Toronto before a ball was kicked this season, has gone on loan to the Canadians' partner club and Knights' League One rivals, Bradford Bulls.