YORK Wasps have been put on red alert under threat of a Featherstone Rovers backlash at Huntington Stadium tomorrow.

Coach Dean Robinson called the players in for an extra training session today to ensure their mental and physical preparation is just right against a side undergoing a mini-crisis.

Rovers, still without a coach after the sacking of Kevin Hobbs, were expected to mount a serious challenge for Super League this season after losing out to rivals Wakefield Trinity in last year's division one Grand Final.

But they have under-performed so far and, though still in touch with the Premiership play-offs in seventh place, by their standards it has been a disappointing season.

They have lost their last four games, the third against basement boys Doncaster resulting in the sacking of Hobbs.

But that didn't have the desired effect as they succumbed at home to lowly Bramley last week, leaving caretaker coach Simon Tuffs with a mammoth task to lift them for tomorrow's game.

However York coach Dean Robinson knows that a Rovers victory is just around the corner and has warned his side, who have not played for a fortnight, against complacency.

"They are a quality side that seems to not be firing at the moment. As individuals they are too good to let that continue and I can see the side itself, because of pride and professionalism, wanting to compete at the best of their ability.

"I expect them to be fired up and be back to their best. We believe we're in for a torrid encounter and that's what we're preparing for. It's too late on Sunday to find out that they've put their problems behind them and we've written them off and it's my job to make sure that doesn't happen," said Robinson, who has ruled himself out of the Featherstone job.

One player who won't get the chance to hammer another nail into Featherstone's coffin is new Wasps recruit Diccon Edwards.

He has only had two training sessions following his move from Leeds Tykes on Thursday and Robinson has opted to give him another week to settle in.

He said: "To be fair to him I feel it prudent to allow him more training sessions to familiarise himself with the defensive patterns and the attacking plays. I envisage him making an appearance in the match at Barrow.

"Coming on the back of a 46-0 victory against Whitehaven I also have to show loyalty to the side that took the field that day."

Also missing are prop forwards Lea Tichener and Mick Hagan. Tichener has had an X-ray on a damaged ankle and though it revealed no broken bones he has suffered ligament damage and will be out for at least two more weeks.

Hagan has a similar injury but is back in light training and is set for a speedier return.Robinson pinpointed prop Hitro Okesene, hooker Richard Chapman and York-based former Heworth ace Paddy Handley, who will be keen to impress in front of his home crowd, as the key men in the Featherstone side.

Handley is a real threat alongside half-back partner Jamie Rooney, while York's forwards will have to be on top of their game from the outset against the experienced Rovers pack.

Rooney, Chapman, Brendon Tuuta anmd Richard Slater are all doubtful while centre Carl Hall begins a two match suspension so Rob Padgett, Andy Heptensall and Steve Dooler are added to the squad.

Wasps: Benn, Sini, Strange, Goddard, Deakin, Cain, Callaghan, Booth, Pallister, Hill, Judge, Lambert Darley. Subs: Preston, Edwards, Austerfield, Precious.

Rovers: (from) Simonds, Stokes, Law, Bramald, Handley, Rooney, Okesene, Chapman, Dickens, Lowe, Tuuta, Slater, Horsley, Amone, Clarkson, Evans, Padgett, Heptensall, Dooler.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).

Kick-off: 3pm

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