YORK City Knights bosses reckon it is "great for the club and the competition" after opponents Hull KR revealed they are to temporarily raise their ground capacity for next week's semi-final.

Rovers are expecting a massive crowd for the eagerly-awaited Arriva Trains Cup showdown at home to the Knights, so much so that they have negotiated with Hull City Council an increased capacity in order to cram in nearly 1,000 extra fans.

Craven Park can normally house 4,400 but for this game, a week on Sunday (kick off 3pm), it will be at 5,300.

In addition, Rovers have forwarded 1,000 tickets to the Knights to go on pre-match sale, expecting them to be snapped up quickly with the possibility the game could be a total sell-out.

"I'm delighted they think it's going to be a sell-out," said Knights chief executive Steve Ferres. "It's great for the club, for the competition, for Arriva Trains (the sponsors) and for the game in general."

The fact the Robins are upping their capacity is a testament to the ever-increasing support now following Richard Agar's LHF Healthplan National League Two high-fliers.

They will again be underdogs against the NL1 big-guns, but they have already beaten First Division duo Featherstone and Halifax on the way to the last four, this cup run coming hot on the heels of the Knights' march to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Furthermore, as the match is a cup tie, the gate receipts will be halved, meaning the Knights are set for a bumper pay-day whatever the outcome.

Ferres said: "The fact an Arriva Trains Cup semi-final could be a sell-out is fantastic, and with there being a National League Two club in there, it's even better.

"I don't know if it will sell out, only time will tell, but Hull KR are looking at us taking 1,200, maybe more, and it's going to be a fantastic atmosphere.

"I think everybody in the city should get behind the lads. We've got a chance of reaching a cup final and that would be a great achievement."

However, he added: "We need to think about that match next week, and focus on the London Skolars league match this Sunday."

The Roger Millward Stand at Craven Park will be ticket-only, but the game itself is not all-ticket.

Rovers season ticket holders have the first opportunity to buy tickets for the match, from today until close of business on Friday. Tickets will go on general sale in Hull from 9am on Saturday and be available until noon on the day of the game.

The Knights have been granted 500 seated tickets and 500 standing tickets in opposite stands at Craven Park.

The club offices at Huntington Stadium will open especially on Saturday, from 11am to 2pm, when these tickets will go on sale. The offices will be open as normal next week, while tickets are also likely to be on sale at other special opening hours, the times of which are to be confirmed.

Tickets cost £14 for seated (£8 OAPs and under-16s), and £12 for standing (OAPs and U16s £6).

Normal match-day turnstile procedures will be in operation on the day, with admission prices as above. However, entry cannot be guaranteed should the game sell out.

Hull KR also have hospitality packages available for the game. For further information contact the club on 01482 374648.

Updated: 10:33 Thursday, June 17, 2004