YORK City Knights boss James Ford insists there is no extra pressure on his team as they head into arguably the biggest weekend of their season so far - no matter what John Kear says.

Ford's men replaced Kear's Bradford team at the top of Betfred League One last time out as their impressive victory over Hunslet was allied to the Bulls' surprise defeat to Workington at Odsal.

But next up for the Knights is that very same Town team, away from home too, where defeat would hand the initiative right back to Bradford - and Kear was quick to crank up the apparent mind games.

The former England boss suggested York now faced a similar pressure his odds-on title favourites have had to contend with, and, perhaps using reverse psychology, intimated Town would struggle to pull off a repeat success over table-toppers.

But Ford said: "There's no pressure on us. We've never been favourites for the title and probably still aren't.

"We don't really think about the league table anyway - it means nothing until after the last game finishes.

"Whether we're first, third, fifth, we're taking it one game at a time, trying to be better than we were in the previous game.

"We're a pretty relaxed group and have a lot of fun.

"At the same time, we make sure our preparation is detailed and come into each game facing the challenge head on, and that won't change.

"We know Workington are a very good side - they've beaten Bradford twice. We know we have to prepare right and hit our standards. If we do that, we'll be happy."

Asked if being top - being the chased rather than the chaser - changed the mentality in the camp, Ford said: "It hasn't changed mine.

"We're aiming to be better than we were last time out. The table doesn't matter one iota."

Workington sit third and are keen to avenge their 40-8 defeat at York in June.

Added Ford of Kear's comments: "I think it's a bit strange for an opposition coach to try to motivate Workington's players, but I'm a very inexperienced coach compared to John so maybe not.

"I'm not sure they read (Kear's comments in) the Bradford T&A or York Press over in Cumbria anyway.

"Either way, I don't think the Workington players will need any more motivation.

"They're a very good side with a very good coach in Leon Pryce. They'll be coming after us.

"Coaches and players are very proud people. That (Bootham Crescent) result won't sit well with Leon or his team. They'll be desperate to get one over on us. That's sport and one of the reasons we love it.

"Our philosophy is to be better than we were in the last game - train better, prepare better and play better. That's been our mindset since week one.

"If it's good enough to see us finish top, then brilliant."

He added: "My squad want to test themselves against the best and Workington are a very good side.

"We're looking forward to it. It's the same question I ask of the players every week - can we be better than we were the previous week - and most of the time it's a really positive answer."

Meanwhile, Ford has explained Liam Jackson's release.

The half-back, who signed for his hometown pro club in the winter after a successful trial, has returned permanently to amateur team Heworth.

Jackson played five times for York, scoring one try - the first in the world record 144-0 rout of West Wales at Bootham Crescent.

Said Ford: "He wanted to take time away and think about whether he wanted to fully commit to us. With the position he was in and the level he was at, if not fully committed, he wouldn't establish himself in our team.

"We had a chat and decided it was better to play elsewhere. We don't want to take players out of the community game.

"He showed a couple of nice touches and has potential but I don't think it was quite right for him at this time.

"We hope he goes back to Heworth a better player and plays well for them."