ST HELENS' preparations for Friday night's fifth round Powergen Challenge Cup tie against York City Knights were thrown into turmoil today after coach Ian Millward was dramatically suspended by his club.

The Australian coach, who is the longest serving current Super League boss, has been stripped of his duties pending a disciplinary hearing.

More details were being revealed at a press conference later today but the Lancashire club confirmed that assistant coach Dave Rotheram will temporarily take charge for the Knights clash.

It is understood the directors at Knowsley Road have become increasingly concerned over the outspoken Millward's recent behaviour during matches and he has twice been the subject of official Rugby Football League investigations.

A fortnight ago he was fined £100 for being on the touchline during a Cup-tie at Huddersfield, but no further action was taken over allegations that he swore at an official.

The League's disciplinary commissioner is also currently undertaking an inquiry into Millward's behaviour during a Super League game with Bradford on Easter Monday.

Millward, 44, fielded a virtual reserve team for a Super League game at Bradford a week before the 2002 cup final at Murrayfield and when he repeated the feat last season it prompted a rule forcing coaches to name their squads in advance of matches.

Meanwhile, defence will be the watchword for York as they prepare for arguably their biggest ever game.

The Super League giants yesterday had nine players named in the provisional 40-man squad for Great Britain with skipper Paul Sculthorpe given the captaincy to emphasise the gulf between Saints and York.

Knights coach Mick Cook is determined to do everything he can to give his side a chance against one of the best attacking sides in the country.

He said: "I have watched their last two games against Huddersfield and Warrington and they are a difficult side to play against.

"They have got a lot of offloads and they have probably got the quickest play-the-balls in Super League so it's a real test of your defence and we will be working on that this week.

"There's not a lot we can change about the way we play and I don't think we need to. We just need to focus on our strengths and stay tight.

"The biggest problem we have got is containing them. They average about 30 or 40 points every week in Super League and they have a massive amount of dangerous players."

With regard to the number of players in the GB squad, Cook said: "I know they have got a lot of quality and this really emphasises that fact."

Competition for places in the Knights' 17 is also high.

Prop David Bates has served his doping suspension and could be in line for his first competitive outing in a Knights' shirt, while several others are knocking on the door after recovering from injuries.

"There's going to be a lot of disappointed players," said head coach Mick Cook. "It's a big game and there will be a big crowd and everyone really wants to play."

Young Knights fan Daniel Temple will be running out with the players onto the St Helens pitch on Friday night after being picked as the winner of the Evening Press mascot competition. He correctly answered that Norris the Knight is the York City Knights mascot.

Updated: 13:53 Wednesday, May 04, 2005