FORGET David Beckham, it is Carl Paterson who Selby are hoping can make it through for their cup challenge.

While the nation holds it breath and waits to see whether the England football skipper can recover from a broken foot to star in the World Cup, at Sandhill Lane the prayers are being said for Paterson.

The influential former Yorkshire Under-21s fly-half, who has been vital to the transformation in fortunes at the club since rejoining from Hull Ionians, suffered a suspected break to his big toe on his left foot in the 34-15 defeat of Old Brodleians.

Now with reigning holders Sandal awaiting for tonight's Yorkshire Cup first round tie, Selby - who are already without skipper Jason Cicero (ankle) and potentially Martin Bramley (thigh) - are hoping Paterson can make a miraculous recovery and play.

"We were talking about healing hands and positive thoughts on Saturday night," said team boss Richard Besley. "If this failures I think we'll be making a call to Uri Geller. We are just keeping our fingers crossed.

"We lost Jason with an ankle injury after he went over on it with five minutes to go and now it seems Carl broke his big toe.

"We've lost our influential second row, who is vital as our skipper and in the line out, and now possibly our points scorer - it's not the best preparation for travelling to Sandal.

"Carl thinks he did it in the first half and he played on, kicking three superb conversions, so we don't know, maybe he will be able to take some pain-killers, strap it up and play."

One thing in Paterson's favour is that the injury is not to his deadly accurate right kicking foot, and with seven substitutes allowed in the Yorkshire Cup, the Selby management team could well take the risk.

However, former Nottingham No 10 Nick Gregory is on standby to play after impressing in the second team.

Tommy Burton and John Hick look likely to team up in the second row, with Aussie Cicero missing out with a damaged ankle.

Selby, who lost to a penalty five minutes into injury time against Middlesbrough in last season's semi-final, are also hoping Bramley can run off his injury, although Andy Bennett, Richard Topping and Welsh Exiles U21 centre Martin Prothero are all vying for his place.

Pocklington face a mammoth task when they entertain a free-scoring Doncaster outfit who were crowned National Three North champions on Saturday.

Although Doncaster are unlikely to field their first team side - which includes leading points scorer John Liley - they are still likely to prove more than a match for a Pock side that has remained rooted to the bottom of the Yorkshire One table for long parts of the season.

Former Pocklington School pupil Richard Poskitt could make a return to his former club with Doncaster.

The Percy Roaders, who have a habit of bringing youth through the ranks, will continue with this policy. At least 12 players under 25 years of age are expected in their squad.

Sam Allen and Matt Webber are both expected to return after missing Saturday's 30-9 defeat by West Park Bramhope.

There should be a classic encounter when Harrogate travel to North East Two outfit Huddersfield.

The West Yorkshire side, led by former Otley flanker Lafaele Filipo, have finished in the second in their table and there is a strong belief the club is on the verge of big things.

However, seven-time winners Harrogate have set their sights on bringing back the Cup to Claro Road for the first time in ten years.

There will be a much-changed look to the Harrogate side with starts for Ben Whiting, Matt Roberts, Andy Nunns, Chris Horner and Rob Johnson.

Updated: 12:12 Tuesday, April 16, 2002