KNIGHTS boss Mick Cook has warned against under-estimating Gateshead ahead of tomorrow's Huntington Stadium encounter.

York-based coach Dean Thomas has turned perennial strugglers Thunder into a team competing for a play-off spot and their current run of four wins in five games, including defeats of title-chasing Workington and former leaders Swinton, has put them within points-difference of sixth place.

Cook said: "If they were under-rated, they're not any more. They put up strong resistance every game and have turned over the likes of Workington. They challenge down the middle with a big pack and are capable of beating any team in the competition.

"They've got a good squad up there with some Aussies and South Sea Islanders and a blend of English guys. I've read they're confident, that they think they can come down and turn us over. They're well up for the game, we have to be well up for it as well."

Cook will have centre Neil Law back after injury, Darren Callaghan making way, but will otherwise stick with the same 13 that started the win over Swinton.

Callaghan may be a sub but, with front-rower David Bates injured, Cook could turn to promising prop Joe Helme to play his first game since August 2003 in a bid to confront Gateshead's bulk. Helme's career was put on hold due to fire service commitments but it is thought he has now passed his probationary period, which allows him to play again.

In-form Chris Levy stays at hooker and Chris Ross on the wing, despite the return to fitness of Lee Jackson and long-term absentee Austin Buchanan.

Gateshead have highly-rated hooker Scott Collins and half-back Mike Hobbs back as Thomas selects from strength.

LHF Healthplan National League Two

York City Knights v

Gateshead Thunder

(at Huntington Stadium)

Knights (probable): Blaymire, Fox, Potter, Law, Ross, Rhodes, P Thorman, Sullivan, Levy, Sozi, Kirke, Smith, Paterson. Subs: from Elston, J Liddell, Forsyth, Helme, Callaghan, Jackson.

Gateshead (possible): W Liddell, Neighbour, Brown, Firth, Peers, Stringer, Birch, Pierce, Collins, Rowe, Cakacaka, Bradley, Rutherford. Subs: from N Thorman, Hobbs, Stephenson, St Bernard, Line, Burley.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)

Kick off: 3pm

Updated: 10:25 Saturday, July 23, 2005