YORK City Knights might well be dreaming of Wembley - but head coach James Ford says the team must focus on Newcastle Thunder if that dream is to remain possible.

The Knights host the Tynesiders in the second round of the 1895 Cup tomorrow (3pm), the new competition for Championship and League One clubs, the final of which will be played at the national stadium on the same day as the Challenge Cup final.

Ford says the league remains their priority this season but, with a last-eight place awaiting the victors, he admits he cannot overlook what is a realistic opportunity for his troops to have a big day out in the capital.

He also says that, while his team are currently the highest ranked English part-time side in the land, sitting third in the Championship behind Toronto and Toulouse, Newcastle have enough in their armoury to cause a shock.

Thunder currently lie fifth in League One, but the March recruitment of director of rugby Denis Betts and head coach Simon Finnigan to their boot room, plus this month's signing of former NRL prop Joel Edwards, who helped the Knights to promotion last year, signifies their intent.

"It excites the players, it excites the club, the fans, the partners and sponsors," said Ford of the road to Wembley.

"I'm sure they'd all love to see their team playing there.

"A player of my ability, for example, would not have the chance to go play at Wembley in the Challenge Cup, so to create a competition that gives part-time players a realistic opportunity to experience that is a positive."

Knights stars Liam Salter and Graeme Horne played in the 2015 Challenge Cup final for Hull KR, losing to Leeds, but team-mate Ben Cockayne was left out that day.

"What an occasion it is (to play at Wembley). Unfortunately for Benny he missed out. When I spoke to them, you could tell how much it meant. Ben is still raw about it now.

"The league has to be the priority but I owe it to the players to take (the 1895 Cup) really seriously, to give them the opportunity to play at that magnificent stadium.

"For the supporters as well - to give them the opportunity to go there and support their team there.

"However, you can't think too far down the line.

"We're facing a very good side and we need to concentrate on Newcastle, otherwise they will turn us over."

He added: "Denis Betts did a really good job at Widnes in difficult circumstances for a long period of time.

"Simon has worked under Paul Rowley at Leigh and Toulouse and will have a wealth of experience.

"They will get the best out of this Newcastle squad, and the playing roster has lots of talent."

On being favourites, Ford argued: "It does not bother me when we're underdogs and it doesn't bother me when we're favourites. I'm not interested in that.

"I'm interested in us getting our preparation right and coming in with a positive mentality towards hard work and all the small things that contribute to the outcome. If we do that, I will be happy."

The quarter-finals and semi-finals of the 1895 Cup, along with some last-16 ties, are likely to be played in midweek. Asked if he thought the competition was a good addition to the rugby league schedule, Ford said: "Time will tell.

"Twenty-seven league games is already a lot, plus a midweek cup competition.

"I can see what they're trying to do - to create a unique competition to market things outside of Super League, and that's great. But I'm not sure part-time players need to play midweek.

"It's a work in progress for the competition in terms of how it runs but in terms of having a cup to play for, I'm all for that."