MICK Cook's rotation philosophy will come to the fore tomorrow as he reshuffles his York City Knights side for the return fixture against Featherstone.

Cook outlined in the Evening Press at the beginning of the season his belief in chopping and changing his side whenever the time was right, and, after revealing an altered 17 for tomorrow's Huntington Stadium encounter, he has reiterated the view that such a policy will benefit the squad's campaign.

He also stressed that making such changes does not equate to fielding a weaker side, and that he is not using the Northern Rail Cup campaign simply to get ready for the LHF Healthplan National League Two season, which begins later this month.

Cook will rest a few players this weekend, namely Lee Paterson and Lee Jackson while he will also keep Craig Forsyth on the sidelines in readiness for future games. Dan Potter, suffering from flu, and on loan Calvin Watson also make way, with Paul Thorman, trialist James Ward, fit-again Scott Rhodes and Mark Cain coming into the 17.

Stressed the Knights boss: "We're not putting a weakened side out. We're putting a strong side out.

"It's not about using this competition to trial players either. We value the competition. We're under a bit of pressure to get points and go further in the competition and we're taking it very seriously."

Cook's squad rotation philosophy is based on the notion of keeping players in trim.

"We need to keep the squad healthy," he explained. "Keeping the same 17 every week is one thing but it isn't going to work like that.

"You've also got to remember these players work all day, some of them very hard in physical labour, and they have to train hard as well, so giving them a rest freshens them up a bit.

"It gives them a chance to get the body back to normal and fresh for the week after."

He added: "We need to be strong right through the season, not burnt out with ten games to go. The squad is coming together now and we're getting a few players back, so we can afford to do that at the moment.

"People have to play well to stay in but this also gives people opportunities to come in a do a good job."

FANS may be slightly put out by the fact the fixture list for the Northern Rail Cup group section sees teams play the same opposition on two consecutive weekends - but Mick Cook wasn't complaining.

It is usual practice when compiling fixture schedules to give teams different opposition each week and thus a bit of variety for the supporters, but this weekend, teams will play the same side they faced last week. In York's case, Featherstone come to Huntington Stadium a week after the sides met at Post Office Road.

But the Knights boss said: "It is actually a little less work for us coaches because you're not looking at a new team so we haven't got as much video work or analysis to do.

"They could have gone through the same three rounds in the same order again, but that's just how it is. Everybody is in the same boat."

Updated: 09:12 Saturday, March 05, 2005