RYAN ESDERS says he will not cut out the aggressive streak in his game – but he will endeavour to stay within rugby league’s rules.

The former Super League back-rower makes a welcome return from a four-match suspension – and virtually eight weeks without a game – for tomorrow’s big Huntington Stadium rematch against arch-rivals Hunslet Hawks (2pm).

The Knights have not won in the Co-operative Championship during his absence – their only points having come from a 28-28 draw at Hunslet in the league opener – and, while Esders reckons they have needed more “mongrel” in their play, he says he has learned his lesson from his lengthy absence so will not overstep the mark.

Esders said: “I don’t think it will take away my aggressive side – that’s the way I play. But I can learn to control it.

“We’ve been a bit soft in games and we’ve let in tries we shouldn’t have.

“We’ve got to reflect on that as a team.

“There’s not been enough mongrel in there. Hopefully we’ll be up for the game tomorrow – it’s against Hunslet so that will be good.

“Things have gone well in training, but we’ve got to do it in games. Our enthusiasm is good but we’ve let ourselves down by not having that bit of aggression.”

Esders’ last appearance was in the Northern Rail Cup victory over Keighley on February 27, when he was yellow-carded for punching and argued with boss Dave Woods while in the sin-bin.

The 24-year-old was left out of the following Challenge Cup tie against Northumbria University as part of an internal punishment, before Rugby Football League chiefs imposed a one-match ban for the punch, plus a three-match ban for a dangerous contact in a tackle earlier in the game.

Esders – who was also dropped to the reserves in pre-season after two yellow cards in the friendly against Gateshead – said he was “definitely looking forward” to his return.

“It’s a bit unfortunate we had another two weeks off since my ban ended,” he said.

“I thought three matches for the ‘chicken wing’ (dangerous contact) was a bit harsh – a few people have been done for that and only got one match – but I got one match for the punch and I could’ve got more.”

Added Esders: “I have to take it on the chin. I won’t be doing anything like that again. It’s not really professional and I have to learn from it.

“It’s about controlling aggression. I felt someone stamp on my hand and I saw red. But you can’t carry on like that.”

Halifax’s bonus point against Leigh last week saw the Knights go bottom of the table on points-difference. Hunslet, promoted with York last year, are fifth, with last week’s defeat of Toulouse their second win of the season. The Knights play in Toulouse on Bank Holiday Monday as part of the Easter double-header.

Esders said: “Once we get that win things I reckon will change. It will be good for confidence and the lads’ mentality.

“Hunslet have had a few surprising results. They try to bully teams and that’s what we need to do a bit more.

“We need to have a bit more aggression and mongrel about us. We’ve got the skill and can score tries. It will come.”

As for York’s two matches in four days, with the long journey to south France in between, Esders added: “We’ve got to take it game by game.

“I’m just concentrating on Hunslet. We haven’t had a win yet and that’s the first objective.”

Tomorrow’s match kicks off at 2pm, not the usual Sunday time of 3pm. Turnstiles open at 12.30pm.

Ticket holders can access Bar 13 from 11.45am.

The big screen will show Hull v Hull KR at 12.15pm and Wigan v St Helens at 2.45pm.

For match-day train travel details, go to the www.tpexpress.co.uk website.