FORMER York Wasps second row Craig Forsyth has returned to McCracken Park and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's trip to Workington Town.

The 29-year-old has moved on a short-term trial basis from neighbouring Heworth, where he had been assistant coach as well as star player.

Forsyth, a former Scarborough Pirates and Wakefield Trinity A team player, played for York for two seasons before setting off on a 12-month round-the-world trip in 1998.

He returned to Yorkshire in March last year, and signed up for a second spell with Heworth - whom he had originally left in 1995 to first join the Wasps - to help with their failed bid to avoid relegation from the National Conference League premier division.

At the start of this season, Forsyth was appointed assistant to coach Keith Loft following Stewart Horton's retirement, while maintaining his playing status.

York Wasps coach Garry Atkins said today that Forsyth will start tomorrow's match on the bench. "He will be with us for a short time and we will see how it goes," he added.

Meanwhile, Matt Woodcock is set to make a dream return to the Wasps team to face former club Workington.

The winger has missed the last two games after picking up an ankle injury against Widnes, but has been pencilled into the starting line-up for the Derwent Park clash in a straight swap for the injured Leroy McKenzie.

The news is not so good for another ex-Workington star, Andrew Lambert, who misses the trip as he has been suffering with flu all week.

Neither Woodcock nor Lambert have really hit the heights since joining York from Workington at the start of the season, but both were desperate to put one over their old mates.

Caretaker-coach Garry Atkins was hopeful that desire would aid Lambert's recovery, but confirmed this morning that those hopes had been dashed. "He is still suffering from flu so he is definitely not playing," he said.

The absences of Lambert and, probably, McKenzie, who has a hamstring strain, coupled with the departure of Rob Lee to Hull FC, means a number of changes among the backs as York go in search of a second successive Cumbrian scalp.

The back division was the best it has been all season in last week's victory over Barrow but Atkins has no choice but to make alterations.

Darren Callaghan comes in at full-back for John McCracken, who has been struggling with a series of niggling injuries, while Andy Preston and Kevin Gray come into contention in the threequarters.

Atkins might even be forced to pull on a shirt himself for the first time since February but he is hopeful that will not be necessary.

"Because of the injuries it may be a possibility but I don't really want to come back yet. Because I'm going away in two weeks I don't want them to get used to me playing.

I'd rather wait until I get back from Las Vegas before I start playing again," said Atkins, who gives Gareth Dobson another run-out at scrum-half.

The forwards remain relatively unchanged with the exception of loose forward Spencer Hargrave who has damaged an elbow.

That means either Lee McTigue or Mick Hagan will be promoted to the starting line-up.Joining Forsyth on the bench, meanwhile, is on-loan scrum-half Craig Robinson, who will make his Wasps debut.

The Wasps will travel up to Cumbria tomorrow morning after discovering their first choice hotel was fully booked.

But Atkins stressed that would not hamper their preparations, adding: "If we come away with nothing we won't be saying that it's because we went on the morning."

The Wasps chief is expecting a tough game from Workington who, like York, are struggling near the bottom of the Northern Ford Premiership.

He said: "I remember from my playing days going to Workington with teams that were riding high and coming back with nothing. I think they will be very similar to Barrow.

"They are a very hard working team and have a well organised set of forwards. It's going to be difficult but I'm quietly confident. We're going well, particularly in defence."

Returning to the Workington starting line-up after injury is New Zealand stand-off Dave Watson, who played in the same York team as Atkins in the late Eighties. He was on the bench for the defeat by Hunslet last week after missing three games through injury.

Loose forward Anthony Samuel, who was ruled out last week with a knee injury, is also back, as player-coach Gary Murdock chooses from a full-strength squad. Centre Steven McGrady, prop Ryan Charters and second rower Jamie Beaumont were all doubtful but should recover.

York Wasps (from): Callaghan, Ryce, Preston, Lambert, Gray, Woodcock, Cain, Dobson, Hayes, Pallister, S Hill, Judge, A Hill, McTigue, Hagan, Robinson, McCracken, Atkins, Forsyth.

Workington Town (from): Cook, Stalker, McGrady, Smith, Lewthwaite, Watson, Murdock, Sturm, Williamson, Charters, Beaumont, Allen, Hoyles, Dempsey, Addison, Liku, Barker, Samuel.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield) KO: 3pm

Some places are available on the Academy bus for supporters wanting to travel to Workington tomorrow. The bus will be leave Huntington Stadium at 8.30am. Anyone wishing to travel on the bus must contact Ann Garvey in advance on 01759 380298.

sport@ycp.cp.uk

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