BOSS Richard Agar has stressed that York City Knights have lots to play for tonight - not least the desire to complete a 'respect-worthy' hat-trick against his former club.

Agar's men go into the final game of the Arriva Trains Cup group stage at Featherstone (ko 7.30pm) with qualification already guaranteed, while one eye is trained on Monday's all-important National League Two opener at home to Chorley.

Agar is set to shuffle his pack, putting several shirts up for grabs and resting captain Lee Jackson along with fellow packmen Yusuf Sozi and Player of the Month Simon Friend, who have both got minor injuries.

However, the Knights chief has rebuked suggestions they are treating tonight's game as a sideline and says he would dearly love to beat Rovers for a third time, having won the reverse fixture and the thrilling Challenge Cup tie between the sides.

"Regardless of what happens we're going to go through," he told the Evening Press. "But I'm not going to say our focus is on Monday - we want to win this game.

"The team for Monday is only half-picked and players are playing for places.

"And for players, once they step over that line they want to win the game. There's no complacency, we've prepared as we would for any other game."

He added: "We've beaten them twice but I don't think Featherstone have given us the credit or respect we deserve so I would like to do it a third time.

"We spoke about the guys wanting to beat Fev three times and I would think that would be an amazing achievement."

As revealed by the Press yesterday, Agar is set to give young back-rower Tom Andrews a test at prop in place of departed loanee Ryan Benjefield. He is likely to be joined in the front row by livewire hooker Jim Elston and fit-again Dan Briggs. Fellow prop Andy Burland is also in the squad of 18, which includes winger Rob Kama, who was unavailable last week.

With in-form Friend sitting it out, Mick Ramsden could return if his knee injury passes fit while fellow back-rower Damian Ball also faces a late test. Danny Seal and Aaron Wood - whom Agar said was unavailable - have been left out, so John Smith could come into the back row.

Troubled Featherstone coach Gary Price is poised to hand 17-year-old hooker Andy Kaye his debut as Rovers seek the win - or draw - needed for qualification.

The NL1 outfit are struggling for consistency according to Price.

"Injuries have been a major problem through our ATC campaign, so I will be glad in some ways to see the back of it," said Price, who is minus Richard Blakeway with a sternum injury.

"We have five long-term injuries, four of whom I don't expect to see playing again this season," he added.

Squads:

Knights from: Graham, Walker, Kama, Langley, Cain, Callaghan, Godfrey, Rhodes, Brough, Briggs, Elston, Andrews, Ramsden, J Smith, Stewart, Ball, Forsyth, Burland.

Rovers from: Archibald, Stokes, Dooler, Feehan, Wray, Presley, Briggs, Carlton, Chapman, Dickens, Darley, A Hayes, Moss, Henare, Jarrett, Newlove, Batty, Tonks, Kaye.

Updated: 10:36 Friday, April 09, 2004