YORK City Knights player-coach Paul Broadbent reckons tiredness will not be a factor for Sheffield Eagles come Sunday.

Broadbent, a former Sheffield hero after captaining the Eagles to an incredible Challenge Cup final victory over Wigan in 1998, returns to the steel city this weekend as the Knights go in search of their first Arriva Trains Cup victory.

Sheffield, who are one of the Knights' National League Two rivals, broke their own ATC duck last night with a shock 18-8 win over First Division Batley Bulldogs, bouncing back impressively from their 88-0 Challenge Cup battering against Super League side Hull FC on Sunday.

But Broadbent, whose own side have had two weeks' rest, told the Evening Press: "I don't think that will make a difference - it's not about what Sheffield do, it's about what we do.

"I've no doubts that we've got the beating of teams, but we've been giving them the upper hand."

The Knights have been without a game for a fortnight as they were not in Challenge Cup action last weekend, and this has given centre Graeme Hallas enough time to overcome his 'flu bug, while Darren Robinson is also available after fears he had broken a bone in his hand during the disappointing defeat to Dewsbury two weeks ago proved unfounded.

However, winger Alex Godfrey is still struggling with a groin injury and is set to sit out again.

Broadbent added: "There was quite a lot of disappointment after the performance against Dewsbury, but the guys have got back an air of confidence about how they've trained.

"It will be a big test for us on Sunday but everybody seems pretty keen to try to improve their game and make sure they produce the levels were talking about."

Halifax have dropped centre Danny Halliwell, 21, for disciplinary reasons for tomorrow's home game with Castleford Tigers. He rejoined Halifax lasy season after a spell on loan with Wakefield.

Updated: 11:54 Thursday, March 06, 2003