YORK will have one eye on next season as they head to Goole tonight in the Yorkshire Cup.

After a disappointing 2001-02 campaign - which has seen the club lose its unofficial tag as the top team in the area to Selby - York are to use the cup as a way to develop for next season.

With Dave Dorkin, Rob Karma and Billy Cakaobitabua all unavailable, York are set to change things slightly, with Joe Brown and Rob Liddle among those ready to step in.

Coach Andy Gair is also to experiment with a new centre pairing of Sam Arkle and Stu Davies, with Sean Bass sitting out the first round tie.

"We are confident that we can do well," said Gair. "The league is our main focus but the cup games give a chance for us to look towards next season.

"Goole will be a good marker for us to see how well we are improving and a victory will give us a chance to develop the confidence of the lads."

The competition is gearing up to be one of the most competitive for years. All the leading clubs are set to field strong line-ups.

And if York can topple their higher ranked opponents, they will find any final hopes blocked by the top three seeds - Leeds, Otley and Wakefield - who are all in their half of the draw.

"If we do win then as long as we get a home draw I'm not bothered as, unless we develop super-human strength, I can't see us going through and winning the cup," added Gair.

Updated: 12:06 Wednesday, April 17, 2002