THE Huntington Stadium pitch is holding up well against the weather and York City Knights' first-ever fixture against Oldham on Sunday is set to get the go-ahead.

All the rain that has fallen in York over recent weeks meant there were fears the historic friendly might be called off. However, the Knights today said the pitch was bearing up well and at this stage no problems were forecast.

The wet weather is, however, expected to turn cold this weekend, with some snow forecast, so more pitch inspections might have to be held.

Meanwhile, fears that new signing Scott Yeaman will be ineligible for the Knights' TXU Energi Challenge Cup third-round debut against National Conference League outfit Skirlaugh have proved unfounded.

The Rugby Football League today confirmed to the Evening Press that players who play for amateur clubs in the early rounds are still eligible to turn out for their new professional club when they enter the Cup in round three.

A registered professional player is only cup-tied if he has played for another pro' club in that year's competition.

Yeaman, who helped Skirlaugh reach this far, will therefore be allowed to turn out against his former club in the January 26 fixture.

York City Knights have arranged a "Launch Knight" in which fans of the club can meet the players.

The event will be held on Thursday, January 16 in the Huntington Stadium bar, starting at 8pm, just three days before the club kick off their inaugural campaign with an Arriva Trains National Cup tie at home to Hull Kingston Rovers.

The players themselves will be getting their shirts and squad numbers that night and fans will be given the chance to chat to them and get autographs. Club merchandise will also be on sale.

Regarding merchandise, the Knights have revealed that they have again sold out of most sizes of the popular home shirt.

Only junior sizes of the strip remain in stock, with the rest of the second batch of replica shirts having been snapped up within ten days of reaching the club. Orders for both this strip and the away shirt are being taken by the club (tel 01904 656105) ahead of a third delivery.

Updated: 11:58 Friday, January 03, 2003