FREE-SCORING York Wasps go in search of a Spotland clean sweep tonight with a word of warning from Dean Robinson.

As they prepared for an immediate return to their happy hunting ground following Sunday's 43-14 hammering of Oldham, the Wasps coach told his players: "The honeymoon is over for York Rugby League Club."

Victory tonight would make it five straight wins for the Wasps and consolidate their fourth place in the Northern Ford Premiership ahead of the crunch clash with second placed Dewsbury Rams a week on Friday.

But Robinson believes York are about to start feeling the heat as they push their claims for a place in the end of season top five play-offs.

He said: "We are now contenders in our own right. Some teams have looked at us as one of last season's second division sides and we've caught them unawares. They've underestimated us at their peril but now sides will be going out to knock us at every opportunity.

"We need to toughen up mentally and physically because every game is going to be difficult, every game will be a cup final, but the lads are up for it.

"We would love to go into the Wembley break on the back of five straight wins. If that's the case the match at Dewsbury will be a four-pointer and the biggest next weekend in the Premiership."

York's first visit to Rochdale in the Challenge Cup fourth round in February ended in a dramatic 22-19 extra time win for the Wasps and tonight's game could be just as close.

It will almost certainly be tougher than Sunday's victory over Oldham which made it 109 points for the Wasps in their four-match winning run.

That sequence has proved especially fruitful for centre Rich Goddard - four tries in the last three games - who will be looking to celebrate his 25th birthday by scoring in his fourth successive match.

But his chances could be limited by the state of the pitch. The Spotland turf was not in the best condition on Sunday and may have deteriorated even further after last night's football match between Rochdale and Cambridge United.

That could result in a crucial forward battle as both sides try to dominate in the pack and work the ball out to the grassier flanks. The Wasps have been boosted by the inclusion of stand-off Mark Cain who has recovered from the shoulder injury which forced him off against Oldham and Robinson can also call on fresh legs in the pack, Steve Hill and Chris Judge returning to the starting line-up.

One-time Wasps target Brad Hepi has just a couple of games remaining before the end of his short-term spell with Rochdale so he will be looking to impress as he talks over a possible move to Castleford Tigers. The Kiwi's arrival at Spotland from Hull Sharks prompted a turnaround in Hornets' form and the loose forward's tussle with countryman Peter Edwards could be key.

Hepi is well aware of the dangers posed by Hepi and said: "He is a quality player but he only knows how to play the game one way - we can expect a lot of fireworks from him from the word go. I'm sure he'll want to have a good game because he is intending to leave in the near future and wants to go out with a bang."

Former Wasp Peter Fitzgerald has enjoyed a successful return after a year out with injury though he may be forced to switch from the stand-off role he has been occupying to full-back.

Centre Steve Marsh is doubtful with an ankle injury and if he is not passed fit then player-coach Deryck Fox will bring in Willie Swann either as a straight swap or at stand-off which would mean full-back Steve Wilde moving to the centre and Fitzgerald to full-back.

Andy Eyres, who has not played since damaging ankle ligaments against York in the cup, is added to the squad.

Fans are reminded that admission for tonight's game has been cut to £3 for adults and children get in free.Rochdale: (from) Wilde, Hudson, Marsh, Swann, Cooper, Bunce, Fitzgerald, Fox, Knowles, Stephenson, Aston, McKinney, Coult, Hepi, Cameron, Holland, Sculthorpe, Eyres.Wasps: Benn, McKenzie, Strange, Goddard, Deakin, Cain, Callaghan, Hill, Pallister, Tichener, Judge, Lambert, Edwards. Subs: Sini, Darley, Booth, Precious.Referee: Paul Lee (Leigh)Kick-off: 7.30pm

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