York City Knights are looking to boost their threequarter line in the wake of a worsening injury crisis.

Boss Mick Cook has met with chief executive John Guildford to discuss the need for temporary new blood, and the club have since identified potential loan signings to add experience to the backs.

However, there will be no new faces in by tomorrow as the Knights visit Hull KR, with Cook declaring he has full confidence in the players available.

"We've identified a couple of players who we think could come in and do a good job for us if the injuries continue, and we're waiting for their agents to get back to us," said Cook.

"At this stage we're happy to go with the squad we've got, and we'll have a couple of players back tomorrow."

The Knights were training today, having had their weekly routine altered by the rearranged Challenge Cup tie at Ovenden in midweek, and Cook was to name his line-up after the morning session, where fitness checks were to be made on a number of players who picked up bangs in that win.

However, experienced centre Neil Law comes in for his first game of the campaign following his car crash in pre-season, while full-back Matt Blaymire, half-back Scott Rhodes and prop David Bates all return and 18-year-old back-row Nathan Priestley is also added to the squad for the first time in the competitive arena.

The Knights are neck-and-neck with Sheffield in the race for the second qualifying spot behind Hull KR in Northern Rail Cup group six and know tomorrow's scoreline could have a big bearing on who progresses.

Cook, though, says getting the performance right will mean the result looks after itself.

"Last time we played Hull KR it was a bit uneven as we had a man sent off and were down to 11 at one stage, which didn't help," said the Knights chief of the 32-2 opening day defeat.

"We need to keep on an even keel this time and, while our preparation is a bit behind because of the midweek match, we'll be going there with no excuses.

"We need to take the game to Hull KR, because if we sit back and let them play they've got too many good players who will do damage.

"We need to keep improving our performances. We got nine tries on Wednesday, albeit against amateurs, and it was a positive we need to build on.

"Discipline has cost us a bit in the past but it was outstanding on Wednesday when there were a few things we had to deal with which were probably beyond the call. We did a professional job and we're looking for the same against a lot more experienced and formidable side."

For full-timers Hull KR, winger Byron Ford returns after suspension, with Desi Williams dropping to the bench, while big Kiwi Michael Smith starts in the second row in place of Jason Netherton, who injured his knee in last week's cup win over York Acorn.

Sunday's squads

Northern Rail Cup Group 6

Hull KR v York City Knights

(at Craven Park)

Hull KR (probable): Rivett, Steel, Couturier, Goddard, Ford, Murrell, Webster, Stephenson, Fisher, Tangata-Toa, Morton, Smith, Gallagher. Subs: Price, Joseph, Aizue, Williams.

Knights from: Blaymire, Dunmore, Clarke, Law, Blanchard, Spicer, Farrell, Hasty, Rhodes, Liddell, Elston, Bates, Sullivan, Bovill, O'Loughlin, Smith, Golden, Paterson, Priestley, Ward.

Referee: Mike Dawber (Wigan)

Kick off: 3pm

Updated: 11:06 Saturday, March 18, 2006