THERE'S good news and bad news for York Wasps today as they prepare for tomorrow's trip to Workington Town.

The bad news is that in-form Jamie Benn misses the Cumbrian haul with a head injury, but the good news is that ready-made replacement Jonny Liddell is raring to go.

The teenager was forced to sit out last week's history-making win over Chorley Lynx through suspension following his red card against Hunslet last month, ending his ever-present status this term since his switch from Leeds Rhinos.

"I'm delighted to be back in," he told the Evening Press. "I was obviously disappointed not to play in York's first win for some time, but hopefully I can help us build on that."

Liddell will return to his stand-off spot, the role filled to good effect by Benn in last week's 34-22 victory.

"I was not taking it for granted that I would be back in but Jamie's injured so it gives me the chance to re-stamp my authority on that position," said the 19-year-old Yorkie.

"I think there's been a difference at training after the victory. We want to make it six points out of six with wins over Workington and then Gateshead and take it from there."

After a blistering start to the season, Workington now occupy eighth spot in the Northern Ford Premiership and, like all Cumbrian teams, are renowned for being particularly strong at home.

"We know what we've got to do but, if we keep it relatively mistake-free, we can rely on Andy Precious to get a few 40-metre tries for us," joked Liddell, referring to the big prop's superb touchdown last week.

"Seriously, though, I don't think it will be easy but we've just got to worry about our own game, cut our mistakes down and not give them anything to feed off.

"We've got enough in attack and our defence is pretty good so if we can play a mistake-free game we will go there with every chance."

Referring to last week's win, he added: "I still don't think we played anywhere near as well as we can, but we seemed to take our chances well and I think it was our finishing more than anything that won us the game.

"We'll go to Workington tomorrow believing we are going to win this game too."

Other than Liddell's inclusion, coach Leo Epifania is set to name an unchanged starting line-up, with goalkicking duties in Benn's absence likely to be taken on by Mick Docherty or Ben Sorbello.

On the bench, Rob Lee is unavailable, so either brother Andy Lee - who has extended trialist forms with the club - or Charles Hoggard are likely to come in.

Epifania said: "There's a fair bit more confidence down there and the players have a bit more belief in themselves.

"Winning breeds confidence and, although we probably need a few wins together to get things really going, there's no reason why we can't do that."

Former Sheffield Eagles Wembley winner Martin Wood will make his debut as player-coach for Town.

The 31-year-old loose-forward has taken up the reins from Gary Murdock following a backroom re-shuffle.

Murdock is taking on an expanded role of football development manager, while Wood takes his first step on the coaching ladder and will be assisted by Paul Penrice and Martin Oglanby.

He will have to do without leading try-scorer Graham Lewthwaite for eight weeks, however, as he has a fractured thumb.

York Wasps probable: Sorbello, Molloy, Moore, Hall, Deakin, Liddell, Cain, Docherty, Pallister, Hill, Kirke, Ramsden, Edwards. Subs: from Precious, Crake, Yeaman, A Lee, Hoggard.

Updated: 11:17 Saturday, March 16, 2002