RYAN ESDERS comes back in for York City Knights tomorrow boosted by words of praise from head coach Mick Cook.

Esders, fit again after missing last week's win at Blackpool with a shoulder injury, is still only 20 but has not looked out of place in his first season in the semi-professional game.

He will be on the bench for the Co-op National League Two visit of Keighley tomorrow as Rob Spicer, Nathan Priestley and Jonny Liddell continue to start in the back row, but Cook is expecting him to make a good impact.

Said the Knights chief: "He makes a difference (to the team). His work-rate is fantastic - he tops the tackle count almost every week - and he has the little things, like kick pressure or guards, in his game. He's a handful carrying the ball as well, and he's a good character to have in the squad."

Esders takes the bench place of Ian Brown, who will start at centre instead of Dan Potter, who suffered a torn bicep last week. In good news, it is hoped Potter will miss only one game.

Cook has additional concerns up front and at half-back, as Adam Sullivan has been ill this week and Matty Brooks may need a late test on a quad problem.

If either pull out, Cook will be forced into a reshuffle, but has Danny Grimshaw - who was taken off half-way through the academy's defeat at Widnes on Thursday with one eye on this game - standing by. Cook may start with new-boy Neil Lowe at prop even if Sullivan is fit, thereby giving the latter more of a breather.

Opponents Keighley have won only once this season and were beaten twice by York in the Northern Rail Cup, but, like with bottom club Blackpool last week, Cook has warned his players cannot expect an easy ride.

This is more so now, after the visitors signed former Super League player Craig Weston.

The Aussie has previously helped both Widnes and Leigh win promotion to the top tier, playing alongside Keighley player-coach Barry Eaton during one of his spells with the Vikings. He also captained Doncaster, and played for Huddersfield.

The 32-year-old, who can play half-back, full-back or centre, may be used alongside veteran performer Eaton in a pivotal role tomorrow.

Cook said: "Like Barry Eaton, he will be a dangerous player. Barry's got a young team and another good leader won't go amiss."

The Cougars are still without Brendan Rawlins (fractured jaw) and Mike Hastings (shoulder), but Cook warned: "They've got some good players and have plenty of enthusiasm. The two games previously have been pretty tough and our preparation has to be bob on."

Knights fans will be hoping for a good performance from referee Paul Carr, who was the controversial man in the middle for the Knights' losses to Gateshead and Hunslet at the start of the campaign.

Tomorrow's squads

Co-op National League TwoYork City Knights v Keighley Cougars (at Huntington Stadium)Knights (possible): Rayner, Mapals, I Brown, C Spurr, Godfrey, Rhodes, Brooks, Lowe, Wray, Buckley, Spicer, Priestley, Liddell. Subs: from Elston, Esders, Sullivan, Williams, Grimshaw.

Keighley (possible): Duffy, R Smith, Foster, Fogerty, A Brown, Weston, Eaton, Bissell, Feather, T Palmer, Nicholson, Knight, Redfearn. Subs: from Fawcett, Sutton, Gardner, Sutcliffe, Sutton.

Referee: Paul Carr (Castleford)

Kick-off: 3pm