A RETURN to the top five beckons as York Wasps aim to complete the second part of a glorious Spotland treble tomorrow.

The Wasps return to the scene of their Challenge Cup extra-time heroics to take on Oldham, just three days before heading back to the same ground to face Rochdale Hornets in a re-arranged fixture.

A victory tomorrow could catapult them back into a Northern Ford Premiership play-off spot for the first time in several weeks while a follow-up success on Wednesday could see them challenging table toppers Hull Kingston Rovers.

York are currently in sixth place, just one point behind Featherstone and Widnes who face difficult trips to Hull KR and Workington respectively. And with second and third placed Dewsbury and Leigh also hitting the road - the Rams go to Bramley on Monday while Leigh travel to Swinton tomorrow - a four-point haul from the two visits to Spotland would put the Wasps right in touch with the top.

Coach Dean Robinson revealed he would not be fielding the same side in both games and is sticking by the bulk of the team which defeated Bramley last week for the first encounter.

The only changes in the starting line-up see Lea Tichener return to the front row to replace Mick Hagan, who is still struggling with a shoulder injury, while Matt Lambert gets the nod in the second row ahead of Mick Ramsden who drops to the bench.

Iefata Sini is back after his four-match suspension but must settle for a place among the subs with impressive new signing Leroy McKenzie retaining his place on the right wing.

Also returning after two weeks on the sidelines with a dead leg is Steve Hill who is likely to play some part after being named on the bench.

His fellow prop forward Craig Booth, formerly with both Oldham and Rochdale, is back in training after returning from his three-week honeymoon but is not expected to figure tomorrow.

Explaining his decisions, Robinson said: "I think it prudent to give Craig Booth a few more training sessions before putting him back in which I am able to do because of the alternatives due to the number that have declared themselves available."Mick Hagan could do no contact training on Thursday. He believed he would be fit for Sunday but again, with the alternatives available I've gone with the side that trained properly."I intend to use Fata at some stage during the game but the others have been doing well and after four weeks out the most he can expect is a spot on the bench. On the Spotland pitch we'll need his strength in whatever position he comes on to play."

And he added: "I'll definitely make changes and bring in fresh players on Wednesday. It would be foolish to have the likes of Booth, Hagan and Judge as fresh forwards and not bring them in."

Oldham are second to bottom of the Premiership, having won just two games, but reports claim they have not been playing as badly as the results suggest.

They have had a week's break after their home game with Featherstone on Wednesday was called off and so have had a chance to get their squad back to full strength.

Australian centre Josh Bostock is the only major omission - he has returned home for surgery to repair his wrecked knee and will take no further part this season.

Tongan centre Afi Leuila, sent off against York last season, has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but was playing for the Alliance today and could challenge for a place on the bench.

Second row forward Graeme Shaw injured a knee in training this week but should make the starting line-up.

One to watch in the Oldham side is stand-off Danny Wood who is impressing during his loan spell from Dewsbury.

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