WAKEFIELD Trinity coach Tony Smith reckons the squad he has lined up for York City Knights shows how important he is treating tomorrow's friendly, writes Peter Martini.

The Wildcats visit York just 48 hours before facing local Super League rivals Castleford in another pre-season encounter, but rather than save his best line-up for the arch-enemy, Smith is to split his first-team squad evenly for the two games.

As reported by the Evening Press on Monday, he will also play his two big-name recruits - former NRL stars Monty Betham and Ned Catic - against York.

It is thought Smith is planning to play the bulk of his first-choice pack against York, with his senior backs in against Cas - and handing debuts to forwards Betham and Catic would tie in with this.

"I would not say either game is more important than the other," he said.

"It's the performance in both that counts rather than the results. I'm going to give the full squad a run-out on either Friday or Sunday. But you can tell how I'm treating the York game just by looking at the squad, with players like Ned Catic and Monty Betham playing."

Eleven of Wakefield's Super League squad are set to face York, while 12 will be in the side to meet Cas.

"I won't be taking the game lightly," added Smith. "It will be a good test for us. I've been impressed with York. They've got a good coach in Mick Cook and they've shown with the progress they've made that they're looking to go another step further. I wish them all the best."

One man not on show tomorrow is ex-Knights flier Austin Buchanan, the winger who scored 17 in 20 appearances for York before signing for the Wildcats last season. This friendly was agreed as part of the deal that took the 21-year-old to Belle Vue.

"Austin will be playing against Cas," explained Smith. "He's fighting for the right-wing spot. It's important he puts his case across by playing with who I feel is the right centre partner."

The Wildcats, who jet off to Portugal for a week's warm-weather training on January 26, will also play Featherstone on Sunday, February 5 before next month's engage Super League XI kick-off.

Updated: 10:04 Thursday, January 19, 2006