HULL KR duo Matty Marsh and Will Dagger will be back in the York City Knights line-up on Sunday as the Betfred League One pacesetters welcome Hemel Stags to Bootham Crescent (3pm).

A few little injuries in the home camp have forced a reshuffle in the backs, leaving the door open for their timely returns.

Knights top scorer Judah Mazive, who has bagged 11 tries in 10 appearances, fellow winger Tommy Saxton and half-back Liam Jackson all have minor hip/groin issues so are unlikely to be risked in this game against the Hertfordshire minnows.

As such, Dagger - who has played five times for Rovers this term, the last on April 22, and who made his Knights bow in the narrow win at Hunslet a fortnight ago - will play at full-back, allowing Ben Cockayne to switch to the wing.

Marsh, who has played in four of the Robins' last five matches, replaces Jackson at stand-off, to add to his three York appearances, the last of which came in the tough win at Newcastle on April 4.

Head coach James Ford had hoped to have Marsh available more often this term to foster a half-back partnership with Connor Robinson.

He said: "I believe in Matty as a player. He's got pace, a good understanding and a good kicking game, he can tackle and he's really brave for a half. With those ingredients you've got potentially a really good half-back.

"He needs to be out on the field playing regular football, growing in confidence and building relationships. I'm willing to give him that opportunity if he's made available and I'm keen for him to kick on.

"He's played some Super League at half, full-back and hooker, which shows his intelligence. I would like to give him a run for us in one position and let him grow."

Graeme Horne is back in the Knights' pack but Aussie centre Jake Butler-Fleming and on-field general Andy Ellis are again omitted from the 19, being given another week to get over their knocks ahead of the tough trip to Whitehaven next Sunday.

This means Joe Batchelor, St Helens-bound at the end of the season, continues at centre, while loanee Dan Maskill will get another run at hooker after making his bow in the win at Coventry last week.

Ford was leaving it late to decide whether to run with four middle-unit men on the bench or use Will Jubb as an interchange hooker.

Sunday's match is the Knights' last at home until June 10 and, asked if he was targeting a big win to bolster points-difference as they compete with Bradford at the top of the table, Ford said: "We just want to win the game, and find some consistency in our defensive approach.

"We were disappointed with that period before half-time last week (the 58-18 win at Coventry) and it will be a good challenge for us.

"Hemel can play with the ball - they're a decent side in possession and Rory Dixon has been carrying them forward really well.

"We will have to be good defensively - that's what we've been talking about this week, to make sure we get that same desire that got us through some really tough, close games like those against Doncaster and Newcastle. Defensive efforts won us those games and we want to see that kind of attitude this week."

Knights (probable): Dagger, Robson, Hey, Batchelor, Cockayne, Marsh, C Robinson, A Robinson, Maskill, Horne, Kelly, Scott, Spears. Subs: from Hawksworth, Siddons, Porter, Ronan Dixon, Jubb, Jackson.