YORK City Knights are set to begin their 2004 campaign with a big Huntington Stadium clash, the Evening Press can reveal.

And star back Chris Smith could well be in the line-up as, the Press understands, he looks set to stay with the club.

The 2004 season for National League clubs begins, like last year, with the Arriva Trains Cup (ATC) group matches, with the opening games on Sunday, February 1.

The fixture list for both this and the league is due out on Monday but the Press believes the Knights will start with a home ATC clash against Division One opposition.

The format for the ATC has been slightly altered from last year, as there are now five groups of four teams, rather than four groups of five. The top teams in each group progress to the quarter-finals along with three other high finishers who come through a play-off format.

The Press understands the Knights have been placed in a section alongside Batley, Dewsbury and Featherstone, with Gateshead as their cross-group opponents.

The Knights' National League Two campaign kicks off on the weekend of April 12, and the Press believes Richard Agar's men will also have a home clash that day. The format for the league will stay the same, with the top six in each ten-team division playing-off for the title.

The full fixture list will be published in Monday's Evening Press.

Meanwhile, the Press understands that Wales international Smith is likely to stay a Knights player come next season, though it is thought he has not yet put pen to paper.

The Press previously revealed he could stay on similar terms as last year, namely a short-term rolling contract with a get-out clause should a Super League club approach him. And chief executive Steve Ferres today confirmed: "I've spoken to Chris Smith and I'm happy in the belief that he will stay at the club in the same capacity he was here last year."

Smith, currently away on holiday, is still recovering from his serious knee ligament injury suffered in June but it is hoped he will be fit by February.

Collier Plant Hire, who this week were revealed as associate sponsors of the club, have agreed to back the Evening Press Player of the Year award for the second year running. The winner of last year's prize was the departed Trevor Krause, with captain Rich Hayes runner-up.

Updated: 09:54 Saturday, November 22, 2003