JAMES RATCLIFFE returns to the dugout believing his York City Knights side can kick on to better things thanks to the “fantastic” work of his assistants.

The head coach takes the helm away to Doncaster tomorrow (3pm) for the first time this season, following his controversial two-month suspension imposed by the Rugby Football League for bringing the game into disrepute.

In that time the team’s form has been patchy, but they are top of Championship One and have a Northern Rail Cup quarter-final at Keighley and a Challenge Cup fourth round tie against Super League side Crusaders in the pipeline. And Ratcliffe was quick to laud the work of player-coach Chris Thorman and reserves boss Mick Ramsden for leaving the club in a healthy position on his return.

Asked how he felt the team had performed without him, he said: “It would be disrespectful to comment on how they’ve gone, due to the hard work by Chris and Mick and all the players.

“There are certain things that can improve and hopefully we can do that as a team over the next few weeks. In a way it’s been good to see us from afar. But Chris and Mick have done a fantastic job. Some people are crying a bit about how we’re playing, but we’re top of the league and still in the two cups.”

Ratcliffe’s first training session back was on Thursday night, the day his “massively frustrating” suspension ended. He said: “It was good to be back out there having the craic with the lads. It was a really good, positive session.”

He added: “It’s not been easy. To be in the game for 25 years and then have it taken away from you for two months was not the easiest thing to do.”

Ratcliffe’s return coincides with a debut for dual-registered Castleford utility forward John Davies, who was not in the Tigers’ party for last night’s clash with Crusaders and has been named in the Knights’ provisional 19-man squad, likely to start on the bench.

Fellow forward Chris Clough is also involved having been omitted for the past two weeks, replacing Luke Hardbottle.

Winger Dan Wilson is added, too, though there will be a late check on hooker Paul Stamp after his back spasm last week.

Ratcliffe, meanwhile, missed the reserves friendly at Featherstone on Wednesday in favour of watching Doncaster’s Northern Rail Cup dead rubber at home to Blackpool.

The Panthers won 40-20, handing the Dons their 25th consecutive defeat, but Ratcliffe saw enough in the South Yorkshiremen to believe they could be a threat.

Most of those 25 defeats came in the Championship last season after they were beset by money problems, and, while they are yet to win this year, they have picked up two losing bonus points in three league games – against highly-rated Swinton and surprise package South Wales, whom the Knights only pipped with a stoppage-time drop goal on Sunday.

They also now have York-born Danny Allan in their ranks, the former Heworth junior becoming a key man following his loan switch from Featherstone.

Ratcliffe said: “They’re aggressive and work hard. There are hopefully a couple of areas we can get at, but they’re not the (poor) side some people expect.

“They’ve got good camaraderie and a good team ethic, which is something I’ve always tried to instil since I came to York because those things can see you through on a bad day.”

Doncaster duo Danny Stanley (arm) and Liam Brown (knee) face late fitness tests. Coach Tony Miller said: “We’re heading in the right direction.”

Doncaster (possible): Henry, Osborne, Gomersall, Winter, Cooper, Allan, S Brown, Bates, P Brown, Ellery, L Brown, Howlett, Bassinder, Stanley, Shaw, Ward, King.

Knights: from Ratcliffe, Reittie, Waterman, Lewis, Lineham, Wilson, Thorman, Bromilow, McLocklan, Stamp, Applegarth, Freer, Fallon, Waller, Hill, Clough, Ross, Davies, Blakeway.

Referee: Gary Dolan (Dewsbury).

• FORMER Knights half-back Danny Brough was in the running to make his debut for Huddersfield tomorrow in their big Super League clash at home to St Helens.

The 27-year-old completed his switch from Wakefield in midweek, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal. The fee was undisclosed, but prop Michael Korkidas and utility forward Danny Kirmond moved in the opposite direction on loan.