YORK City Knights were handed another boost ahead of tomorrow's home clash with Sheffield when stand-off Scott Rhodes was named National League Two player of the month, writes Peter Martini.

Rhodes, who gave one of the best displays seen at Huntington Stadium when York beat leaders Keighley in their last home match, completes a notable double as half-back partner, Danny Brough, won the June accolade.

The awards, run in Rugby League World, the July edition of which was out yesterday, saw Brough again voted the top scrum-half, while team-mates Neil Law (centre) and Craig Forsyth (prop) were also in team of the month. Lee Jackson was voted second-best hooker and Trevor Krause third-best loose-forward.

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said: "Scott has been in scintillating form this month and probably a bit longer than that, not only going forward but also defensively."

Ferres, meanwhile, was hoping for another big turn-out at Huntington Stadium for the crucial game against third-placed Sheffield.

The Knights smashed the divisional record against Keighley with a crowd of 1,835. "There's talk of the Eagles fetching a few and we're hopeful of getting over 1,500, maybe even bettering the 1,835," he said.

"We took 250-plus to London last week and our fans keep doing it for us."

Updated: 10:32 Saturday, July 26, 2003