York City Knights coach Mick Cook believes the team can handle the challenge of Castleford tomorrow - despite all the problems.

A full team of players are ruled out injured or unavailable for the Northern Rail Cup group game at Huntington Stadium tomorrow (kick off 3pm).

But Cook is confident his underdogs can turn the dismal 50-point thrashing at The Jungle around.

He said: "We are approaching it with a positive manner - you can't afford to approach it any other way.

"We understand our performance against Castleford was below-par last time and we are going to go forward aiming to put that right.

"With them being full-time, if players get an injury they can get on with treatment straight away - they are not climbing up and down ladders all day.

"They are more geared up and have higher strength levels which helps them resist injury so they have got a bit of an edge.

"But we are not looking for excuses - we've got a few strong lads in and we can handle Cas."

The team that will face the Tigers this time out is vastly different to that of just five weeks ago, with eight of those involved in the 52-2 defeat - seven starters - all injured, and only two players in the same position.

But new to the squad since then are the experienced faces of Scott Rhodes, who makes his first start of the season at stand-off, Neil Law and the returning Simon Friend in the second row.

Said Cook: "Admittedly it's not our full-strength side but we have got Simon Friend making his debut.

"He's a pretty solid player who has got plenty of enthusiasm and he looks like a real competitor."

Also making his debut is ambitious young amateur Lee Lingard, on trial from leading Yorkshire side Sharlston Rovers.

The goal-kicking full-back again showed his credentials with an outstanding display against NL1 Oldham in the Challenge Cup last Friday and has been tipped for an exciting future, with several professional clubs reportedly eyeing him up.

Mark Cain and Chris Levy have both been added to the injury list.

Levy's leg wound has become infected, while Cain broke one finger and damaged the tip of another in a building site accident.

But Jonny Liddell has shaken off an ankle problem and Law returns from a foot injury to reduce some of the pressure on the stricken squad.

Updated: 10:08 Saturday, March 19, 2005