OLDHAM boss Scott Naylor has described Sunday's clash with York City Knights as “one of the biggest games of the season for both clubs".

Both teams have eyes on promotion from Betfred League One and Naylor - now into his sixth season in charge of the Roughyeds having signed a new two-year deal this winter - believes this weekend's Whitebank clash has all the ingredients to be a fantastic advertisement for the competition.

He also reckons it will be harder to win promotion this year than when his team last did it in 2015.

“The Knights have a few ex-Super League players and others with heaps of experience at a high level," Naylor told the Oldham club website.

“James Ford (York boss) is doing a great job with them and come the end of the season they’ll definitely be up there challenging for promotion.

“This is a much bigger game than some people seem to realise — definitely one of the biggest games of the season for both clubs.

“We’ve worked hard this week to make sure we’re fully prepared and ready for them.”

Back in 2015, Oldham topped the League One table with 19 wins from 22 games. They were relegated with fallen giants Bradford Bulls last term.

Naylor - a Super League, Challenge Cup and World Club winner as a player with the Bulls - said: “Even without Bradford it would be a lot tougher (to go up) this time, but with Bradford in there as well it’s going to be tougher still.

“There’ll be a lot of games in which we’ve got to be at our best.”

His team have begun the season well - winning 14-0 at Whitehaven for a first victory there in 17 years, and also nilling amateurs Featherstone Lions in the Challenge Cup.

Captain Gareth Owen, Adam Jones and Ben Davies are unavailable this weekend but Naylor has the likes of full-back Kyran Johnson, half-back David Hewitt and second-rows Danny Langtree and Danny Bridge in scintillating form, and also has dual-reg options from partner club Salford Red Devils.

Goalkicking ace Paul Crook, the former Rochdale points machine who joined the Roughyeds from Whitehaven over the winter, will take the armband.

Naylor added: “We’ve played really well this season so far, but I believe we’ve still got more to offer."