YORK City Knights boss Mick Cook reckons the exciting LHF National League Two title chase remains wide open with a host of teams still in the hunt.

York top the table by two points from Dewsbury as the season heads into the half-way mark, but with three more teams just two points further back and sixth-placed Sheffield running into form, Cook reckons anything can happen this summer.

"I don't think you can write anybody off at this stage," he said.

"Results have shown teams can lose games they're expected to win. Everybody is fighting.

"It's still early days. There are 20 points up for grabs and if there's a little bit of complacency, that top of the table can soon change around.

"We need to make sure we go about things in the right way. We know what we're trying to achieve and we need to go about it in a nice quiet way, week by week.

"If there is any complacency in your side you will get burnt. It's easy to get a couple of defeats and if your drop four points, you can easily drop four or five places."

The National League programme takes another break this weekend for the semi-finals of the Northern Rail Cup, with the Knights returning to action a week tomorrow at Workington, a team who are unbeaten at home for 13 months and one of the sides on York's heels. That match marks the half-way point in the season.

"Workington are a very strong side at home," said Cook. "It's going to be a massive test for us.

"It's nice being top but it gives other teams more motivation to try to beat you. Every game is a tough tussle.

"We have to keep our feet on the ground - we're not even half-way through the season yet.

"It's about us and making sure we've got the right attitude and that there's no complacency in the camp - I don't think there is at the moment."

David Bates became the latest player requiring treatment after a hip injury suffered in Sunday's win in London took hold.

The prop finished the game but since then has needed physiotherapy, though there has been a "massive improvement" in the last few days so Cook is optimistic he will be okay for next Sunday's big four-pointer.

Paul Thorman appears to be the biggest doubt at this stage having torn a stomach muscle on Sunday.

However, Dan Potter (ankle) and Mick Ramsden (dead leg) trained this week and Ian Kirke (forearm) is okay, while Shaun Ibbetson (knee) also trained albeit with some soreness.

Jon Liddell (finger) has also been training and, although he has been struggling with his grip, is likely to be available.

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, June 18, 2005