York City Knights' forward power has been boosted by the return to Huntington Stadium of Andy Burland.

The former Doncaster prop played 13 times for the Knights last season before switching to Castleford in an attempt to break into Super League.

He has now returned to York initially for a month, while coach Richard Agar's front-row options have also been bolstered by Ryan Benjefield's loan from Hull being extended week-to-week.

Chief executive Steve Ferres said: "Andy's keen to prove he can play at a higher level and went to Cas to try to achieve a Super League place. That has not happened and his first call to start playing again was to us. He enjoyed his time at York and it's nice to know players want to come here.

"He's come with a view to making the 17 and he's got to be up to the task because we've got Yusuf Sozi, Craig Forsyth and Dan Briggs, as well as Ryan Benjefield on loan and Joe Helme to come back. But he's come at a good time for us because we've been depleted by injuries and he's got the chance to prove his worth."

Skipper Lee Jackson and vice-captain Nathan Graham, meanwhile, have lauded the belief in the side after last week's back-from-the-dead win at Featherstone.

The Knights, down to the bare bones of a squad and reduced to 12 men inside ten minutes, won 29-26 thanks to a last-minute Alex Godfrey try, which set up a Challenge Cup quarter-final against Super League Huddersfield.

"Exciting," was Jackson's summing up of the match. "When they scored near the end I thought that was it. But we said behind the sticks if we could get the ball back from the restart we might do it. And it just goes to show you should never give up."

Jackson, a Challenge Cup winner with Leeds in 1999, added: "It was fantastic. All credit to the fans as well. I'm hoping they are starting to believe in us now. I know what the team can do and if they keep supporting us as they are doing home and away hopefully it will be a good year."

As for the next tie, he added: "We're not supposed to be there. Win, lose or draw I'm just happy for the club."

Graham, a Challenge Cup finalist with Bradford in 1996, who joined York from Fev in the closed season, had himself scored a try eight minutes from time to put the Knights back ahead before Rovers hit back to retake the lead.

He said: "It's always good to score against your old club. I thought it was good enough to win it, but we had to produce something out of the top drawer right at the end - and we did."

Giants tickets

Tickets for York City Knights' Powergen Challenge Cup quarter-final against Huddersfield Giants will go on sale at a special advance price from Saturday.

Fans will have the choice of paying up to £14 on the day for adults with concessions £9, or they can buy tickets at the reduced price of £12 adults and £7 concessions beforehand. Child tickets will cost £1 either way.

Tickets can be bought from the Knights office between 11am and 1pm Saturday, 10am to 11.30am Sunday or from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, March 27.

At any other time, tickets can be purchased direct from Huddersfield Giants by calling 01484 530710.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, March 19, 2004