Knights ace Rob Spicer out of big cup tie

8:08am Friday 30th March 2007

HEAD coach Mick Cook has to contend with mixed news on the injury front ahead of York City Knights' big Challenge Cup fourth round tie at Huddersfield on Sunday, with key back-rower Rob Spicer now set to sit it out.

Cook is bolstered up front as Tabua Cakacaka and Ryan MacDonald are both likely to overcome their injuries in time for the clash against the Super League Giants.

Toby Williams also provided a boost following fears he had suffered a crack to a bone in his arm during Sunday's Northern Rail Cup group defeat to Halifax. Tests have since shown he suffered heavy bruising rather than a break and he will be in contention this weekend.

However, former Wakefield workaholic Spicer will probably sit the game out after he tore a pectoral against Fax. It is hoped he will be fit for the National League Two opener at Gateshead on Good Friday.

In-form Ian Brown will also be left out after suffering a broken nose and needing several stitches in a facial wound following an accidental collision in the Halifax game.

Prop Joe Helme is still being troubled by his ankle problem, while it has been confirmed that winger Alex Godfrey suffered a new hamstring tear in the Halifax match, his first game back from the hamstring strain he suffered in pre-season. It is not yet known how long he will be out.

It is the third time in four years that York will have met Huddersfield in the cup, and Cook admits a shock revenge win for his side is highly unlikely, even though the Giants have yet to win this term.

"They're a Super League club and they're competing with all the Super League teams," he said. "They've only been losing by the odd point or two.

"We just want to go there and compete and see what happens. But we are looking for a dramatic improvement on last week."

Meanwhile, the Knights' Academy chief, Paul Higgins, has admitted his charges face a difficult start to their 2007 campaign - but he reckons it might be good for them.

The Knights Under-21s kick off their Senior Academy First Division season away to title favourites Castleford tomorrow (2.30pm).

The First Division comprises National League outfits whereas Cas are used to life in the Senior Academy Championship for Super League clubs.

Higgins said: "It's a tough start. Cas will be one of the favourites to win the division and then we've got Halifax at home, who won it last year.

"But it gives us an idea of where we're at, where we want to be and what we need to work on. We've got to come across them in the season so we might as well play them early and know what we're up against."

There are 15 players signed up to the Knights Academy squad in addition to the eligible under-21s players in the first-team group, such as Steve Grundy and Liam Watling, who are set to play tomorrow.

Up to eight open age players can play in any one Academy fixture, a rule which helps first-teamers get fit after injury or fringe players stay in condition given that there are no longer reserve teams.

Kyle Palmer, 22, and Mark Spurr, 23, who has recovered from his broken jaw and whose commitments with the Leeds Met student team are now ended, are set to play tomorrow.

Northern Rail Cup last 16 draw

Dewsbury v Leigh, Hunslet v Celtic Crusaders, Rochdale v Swinton, Halifax v Featherstone, York City Knights v Barrow, Whitehaven v Bramley, Widnes v Batley, Castleford v Workington. Ties to be played on April 22.