HEAD coach Mick Cook reckons York City Knights fans could be in for a cracker tomorrow as the 2006 season opens at Huntington Stadium.

The Knights begin their Northern Rail Cup campaign against holders Hull KR (4pm), and while the visitors should be big favourites with their full-time squad and aspirations of Super League, Cook is backing his players to respond to the occasion.

"We know they're a quality side and we will have to be on our game to compete, but we're looking forward to it," he told the Evening Press.

"There will be a big crowd and our players generally respond to big games.

"I think it will be great for both sets of supporters. I've seen a few Hull KR games and they're pretty vocal, but our support can match that.

"It will be a great day for everybody. Hopefully the weather will be good for rugby and I think the teams will provide a quality game."

Three Knights players - Phil Hasty, Jamie Bovill and Mark Blanchard - joined from Craven Park in the off-season, while Adam Sullivan, Craig Farrell and Mark Cain are also former Robins.

Cook added: "It's a big one for us and there's a little bit of extra spice with a few lads having signed from Hull KR. They'll be looking to impress no doubt.

"Hull KR are the holders and will be strong. They're a good side and will be looking to hold on to the silverware, but it's about us getting our performance right."

Cook will delay announcing his line-up until shortly before kick-off. He has named a 20-man squad but, while the Press believes he has privately picked a preferred 17, he is keeping his cards close to his chest.

This may be because he is waiting on late fitness tests or simply because he doesn't want to give anything away, having at no time named a strongest 17 during pre-season.

Asked if it is important the Knights get off to a winning start, Cook said: "That would be great but playing well and improving as a team is important. If we keep doing that, we will get the results we want."

Rovers boss Justin Morgan has likewise named a 20-man squad as he waits on late checks, most notably on Player of the Year James Webster, who is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Giant second-row Michael Smith, who shone during his spell with York Wasps five years ago, is likely to start, as is Tommy Gallagher, who had a brief loan spell at the Knights in 2003, and half-back Scott Murrell, the former Leeds youngster who had been a York off-season target before moving to Craven Park.

Rovers assistant coach Dean Sampson says there would be "no excuses" for their players to miss out on promotion and reckons they must "hit the ground running" tomorrow, despite the league campaign being two months away.

Updated: 09:34 Saturday, February 11, 2006