YORK City Knights coach Mick Cook has expressed full confidence in his entire squad by shuffling his pack for tomorrow's visit of London Skolars.

The National League Two leaders' promotion charge is entering the pressure cooker of the last four matches but 'Tinkerman' Cook, having kept a largely unaltered line-up over successful recent weeks, is contemplating making up to five changes to the 13 that began last week's win at Blackpool plus three more on the bench.

Scott Rhodes is in line for a return to half-back, with Chris Levy nursing a minor chest problem, while winger Austin Buchanan is set for his first start following his six-month injury nightmare, coming in for Neil Law, who rests an ongoing knee niggle.

Lee Lingard, James Ward and Jonny Liddell are also set to start as Cook gives hard-working full-back Matt Blaymire and back-rowers Darren Callaghan and Lee Paterson a break while Ian Kirke is not considered due to his virus and knee injury.

Old head Mick Ramsden returns to the bench for his first game since June, while big young props Yusuf Sozi and Joe Helme are back to combat the Skolars' size up front.

Cook said: "We've got a couple of blokes carrying a few knocks and this is an opportunity to get people out of contact for a week.

"Matt Blaymire, for example, has played big game-time in the last few weeks and has been worked pretty hard. This will give him a rest and it gives us a chance to look at Lee Lingard in his preferred position.

"It just gives some guys a bit of a break and others a chance to regain a place."

Second-bottom Skolars have a few injury problems themselves with London Broncos loanee Lee Sanderson (knee) still out and Brett Blaker (head), full-back Tim Gee and centre Ryan Wheele doubtful. However, former Gateshead half-back Steve Elms and 17-year-old centre James Thompson are in line for debuts, while prop Matt Pitman and half-back Nathan Meischke are set to return from injury.

Cook said: "It will be a tough, physical game. I've said all along all games are tough. London don't give in and will play for the 80 minutes and we need to be on the ball. Every team we play will want the scalp of the top team.

"The team we've selected is a strong one and we need to get our individual performances on the button. It's up to us to approach the game in the correct manner."

Updated: 12:46 Saturday, August 13, 2005