LOAN ranger Richard Wilson reckons York City Knights could turn over his 'other' club and reach the Arriva Trains Cup final.

The 29-year-old prop, who has been on loan with the Knights from Hull Kingston Rovers since mid-April, has expressed his disappointment at not being allowed to play in the tie but believes his adopted team could make the Robins pay without him.

And he has called on the York public to get down to Craven Park in force to create a great atmosphere at Sunday's showdown.

"I'm disappointed that I can't play," said Wilson (pictured), who is keen to stay at Huntington Stadium for the rest of the season.

"I'm on the books at Hull KR and they pay me my contract payments, so it was not totally unexpected."

He added: "Hull KR are National League One and are up there in the play-off positions, and realistically they are going to be the favourites. But York have got a good chance.

"They've got to stick to the game-plan 100 per cent and if they can stay with Rovers for the first 20 minutes, the pressure could build on them (Hull KR).

"York have got to play to the final hooter and lift their game, and I'm sure they will."

As for his own allegiance, he said: "I'm split down the middle. My head says Rovers but my heart says York.

"It is not the priority for York but it's still the Cup and York are hoping to take maybe 2,000 fans to the game and if they do, it will be a great atmosphere.

"Hopefully the York public can out-shout the Rovers' contingent."

Wilson initially came to York on a month's loan and that has since turned into a rolling deal. "I think York want me to stay but Rovers are not that keen to let me go at the moment," he said. "I've had no communication with anybody at Rovers since I've been at York and I'm disappointed with their attitude in that sense.

"I'm hopefully doing a good job for York and I hope to stay for the rest of the season."

Wilson played his ninth game in a Knights' shirt in the 50-6 win over London Skolars, which saw Richard Agar's men go top of the National League Two table.

He said: "There were quite a lot of spoiling tactics from them and we got drawn in a bit but when we realised what they were trying to do we put on a more professional performance.

"It was a good result, although realistically 50 points is the gulf between us and teams like London Skolars. They're not a team that gives in, but they were the type of team we should be putting a lot of points past and our class came through in the end."

Open for tickets

York City Knights' office will be open late on Thursday to help meet demand for tickets for Sunday's Arriva Trains Cup semi-final at Hull KR.

Rovers, who have increased their ground capacity to 5,300 for the tie, have sent the Knights 500 standing tickets (priced £12 adults, £6 concessions) and 456 for seating (£14 adults, £8 concessions). Seating is inthe Roger Millward stand.

The club office will be open at normal 9am-5pm hours up to Friday, staying open until 7.30pm on Thursday, when the Knights Supporters' Club stage a video night showing the memorable quarter-final at Halifax on the big screen.

The office will deal with ticket sales and Supporters' Club coach bookings, times and details of which will be confirmed soon. Telephone bookings (01904 656105) are accepted, as are payments by credit/debit cards, cash or cheque.

About 200 tickets were sold in three hours on Saturday so fans are advised to buy theirs as early as possible.

Admission for standing can also be purchased on the day of the match at the turnstiles - unless tickets are sold out - although the Roger Millward (seating) stand is ticket-only. All gate receipts from the match will be halved as it is a cup tie.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, June 22, 2004