YORK City Knights fans will have to wait a while to see exciting new signing Jamaine Wray in action - but he will get in on the act tomorrow.

The former Hunslet hooker will start the Northern Rail Cup second-round tie at home to Dewsbury on the bench, with boss Mick Cook saying it was impossible to drop Jim Elston following his man-of-the-match display at Halifax on Monday.

But Wray will definitely play some part in a team also boosted by the return of Mark Blanchard after injury and big Joe Helme, who is available again to add size to the front row.

Jamie Bovill will have a late test on a groin problem, but the two current centres, Neil Law and Rob Spicer, have overcome knocks suffered at Halifax, giving the club a timely boost given the extended injury list - which is not aided by the fact in-form Aussie Dave Buckley is unavailable due to other commitments cleared by the Knights hierarchy.

Cook said: "I'm looking forward to seeing Jamaine play for us, but how could anyone look Jimmy in the eye and tell him he was not starting after the way he played last week.

"I'm sure both Jamaine and Jimmy will be big players for us."

The Knights, on the back of three opening defeats in National League One, are eager to turn that form around, starting tomorrow.

"It's very important," said Cook of this tie. "We want to be in the quarter-finals. I know we've got some injuries but it does not stop us wanting success. I'm disappointed we haven't got any competition points yet - we should have had some by now. This is a different competition and while there's no pressure for points we want to be in the bag.

"We've already gone further than we did last year and a quarter-final place will show we're going forward as a team."

He added that complacency was not an issue against the club they pipped for promotion last year. "It can't be given the way we're playing," he said.

"They're top of Division Two and they've made a lot of quality signings, and they had a fair squad last year.

"They're looking for Division One football. We proved over the year that we were more consistent but this will be a different game and they will fancy their chances of causing an upset, if you can call it that."

He added: "We need to improve and stop giving too much away. We can't afford to keep giving teams possession and field position.

"But I think we're still a good side and it will develop. I don't think we're far off. We're missing a few players but we need to be a bit better regarding our respect for the ball.

"This game will be tough but I'm looking forward to it. It will be a good challenge and it will be good to see how we respond. I'm confident in the players and know we can get back on track."

Updated: 11:14 Saturday, April 22, 2006