PAT SMITH could make a surprise return to action for York City Knights tomorrow after being named in James Ford's 19-man squad that goes to Rochdale for a potential quarter-final humdinger.

The half-back/hooker, York's skipper last year, only landed back in England a week ago after working away in Germany all year but is immediately back in the frame - with head coach Ford set to make at least three changes to the team that beat Doncaster last week.

Jack Anderson is also in line for his debut and Ben Dent is set for his delayed 2016 bow - with in-form full-back Richard Wilkinson being left out alongside, as expected, props Mark Applegarth and Brett Waller.

Both teams are prioritising League One over the iPro Sport Cup so neither coach is risking anyone who is not 100 per cent.

Smith's surprise inclusion with so little training suggests Ford might also have a doubt over his pivots, but Jonny Presley, Danny Nicklas, Harry Carter and Kriss Brining are all included and the head coach said: "Pat's a good player and I just want to get him involved.

"He's a good leader and I want to have him around the team."

Applegarth and Waller, like Wilkinson, have been in fine form but their absence - with new loan signing Ross Osbourne not yet being thrown in - means Ryan Mallinder and either Anderson or Crowther will be asked to move up from second to front row.

Ford said: "Russ Spiers, Mike Emmett and Jack Aldous make up a good starting middle, and Ryan brings a good amount of aggression to everything he does.

"For Jack Anderson and Jordan Crowther, it's an opportunity to show they should be in our 17."

Back-rower Josh Tonks returns after sitting out last week with concussion, while, at the back, Brett Turner will have another go at full-back with Dent going onto the wing, though they may swap.

On the tie itself between two unbeaten teams, Ford said: "I'm sure everyone going over there will see an excellent spectacle and a really good advert for League One.

"Rochdale are a good team, a well-coached, attractive team, who are unbeaten so far and nearly beat a strong Salford side in pre-season.

"They're favourites, especially with their experience, and we're underdogs again - but I'm not going to play us down too much."

For Rochdale, James Tilley and Dale Bloomfield are out after injury in their victory at North Wales while boss Alan Kilshaw will give a few others late checks.

Fijian dangerman Jo Taira is fit, though, despite a knock last week, while forward Jono Smith is firing after an impressive debut, and Kilshaw has also included four dual-reg players from Warrington, including French international Ben Jullien.

Kilshaw said: "There are two good sides. If we win we're in the semis and the 17 we put out will be more than capable of putting a good performance in.

"We're nowhere near, performance-wise, but I can't ask for any more in terms of effort, sacrifice and enthusiasm so far."

The semi-final draw will take place at 5.30pm tomorrow.

Rochdale: from English, Riley, Taira, Wild, Trumper, Crook, Yates, Tahraoui, Moore, Thompson, Jullien, Case, J Smith. Subs from: McClurg, Hadden, Philbin, Evans, Lee, Biscombe.

Knights (possible): Turner, B Dent, Morland, Hey, Buchanan, Nicklas, Presley, Spiers, Carter, Aldous, Tonks, E Smith, Emmett. Subs: from Brining, P Smith, Mallinder, Crowther, Anderson, Bower.

Meanwhile, the Knights' Challenge Cup fifth round tie at Dewsbury will be on Friday, April 15, at 8pm. Admission is £15, or £11 for concessions and £2 for under-16s. Junior season ticket holders from Dewsbury or York get in free.