FLYING winger Alex God-frey is hoping for a return to the York City Knights line-up tomorrow to help his side make it third time lucky against Doncaster.
The Knights go in search of their second win in the Arriva Trains Cup as they entertain the Dragons in what promises to be a grudge match at Huntington Stadium (3pm).
Doncaster have already beaten York twice this season, 24-4 in the ATC last month and 21-20 the following week in a Challenge Cup thriller. But Godfrey reckons the Knights can turn the tables.
"We think we can beat them," said the local hero, whose last appearance before a groin injury ruled him out for three games was that Challenge Cup tie at Huntington Stadium.
"They're a skilful side but so are we and we've got just as much experience. We need to be a bit more physical and front up a bit more, but we can match them."
Godfrey also reckoned the pressure was on the Dra-gons: "They're in a higher division than us plus they've already beaten us twice so they're expected to win. We've got nothing to lose."
St John Ellis' side topped the ATC East group with last week's win at Hull KR, but York's confidence was also boosted with their historic 32-12 win at Sheffield.
"We've altered our training these last couple of weeks and it showed last week and hopefully it will show this week," said Godfrey. "There's a lot we all want to put right against Doncaster."
Godfrey and back-row Craig West-moreland are the only additions to last week's squad, with player-coach Paul Broadbent not wanting to tinker too much with a winning side.
He might be forced into one change, though, as hooker Lee Jackson is struggling with a back injury. This could see Darren Robinson don the number nine shirt for his first Knights start or scrum-half Trevor Krause move up, just as he did with distinction against Featherstone.
"I think the guys got a big lift out of how we played last week but whatever we did last week won't help us this week," said Broadbent, who expected Doncaster to finish near the top of Division One this year.
"They've got some useful players in ball-playing positions and they've got good go-forward," he said. "But we've got guys who can go forward just as well and guys who can create just as well.
"This is a good measure of where we're at.
"We've got to make sure we approach the game in the right manner and carry on trying to implement the things we've been working on that showed up well last week. If we show the same enthusiasm we should give them a good game."
Knights: from Smith, Beever, Hallas, Callaghan, Lloyd, Godfrey, Molloy, Firth, Krause, Hayes, Jackson, Broad-bent, Bolus, Robinson
Updated: 09:05 Saturday, March 15, 2003
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