YORK City Knights are ready to “roll their sleeves up” for the challenge of facing Bradford Bulls on a narrowed Odsal pitch on Sunday (3pm).

It is was revealed earlier this week that Bradford would be returning to their former home of Odsal, having spent this season and the last at Dewsbury Rams’ Tetley’s Stadium.

However, due to stock car racing recently being held at Odsal, the Bull’s pitch will fall outside of the Rugby Football League’s (RFL) usual minimum standards.

The Odsal pitch runs 51 metres wide, which fails to comply with the RFL’s minimum standard of 55 metres.

Bradford have been granted special dispensation to be able to host York and Newcastle Thunder the following week by the sport’s governing body.

“We don’t worry about what we can’t control,” said Knights head coach Ford.

“The RFL have deemed it appropriate to support Bradford and play on this field so we’ll roll our sleeves and look forward to the challenge.

"Bradford are a great side. Danny Brough and his kicking game is a huge factor for them.

“They’re playing on a field that’s 51 metres wide and below the minimum regulations. That is 17 metres narrower than ours.

“We’re really looking forward to defending on it, that’s for sure.

“I’m not concerned (by the pitch), I’m looking forward to it. We’ve conceded an average of 13 points per game and we’re looking forward to defending on it.”

Ford stated last week that Brendan O’Hagan and Jack Teanby were close to returns for this weekend’s game and the coach added that they will be continued to be monitored this week. 

Tim Spears is not away from a return while loanees James McDonnell (Wigan Warriors) and Yusuf Aydin (Wakefield Trinity) have returned their parent clubs.

“We have won six out of our last nine against teams in our competition with the worst injury situation that I’ve ever seen,” added Ford.

“But we’re coming through the other side of it and I’m looking forward to us tidying up in one or two areas.”