Influential York Acorn ARL Club forward Lee Franks could make a return to the side this weekend to face top-of-the-table Ince Rosebridge.

The loose forward has been out nursing an injured shoulder for several weeks but he is now champing at the bit to get back into the mix after playing in the 'A' team last weekend.

A return for the captain would be a timely boost to a pack that could be weakend if Gary Endersby - part one of the brotherly combination at eight and ten with Adam - does not shake off a dead leg by Saturday.

The side will otherwise though be at somewhere close to full strength, with several keen youngsters desperate to get a game including 18-year-old Tom Hill, son of coach Alfie, who has deputised for Franks at loose forward in recent weeks, and Timmy Elliott, who has been fluttering in and out of the number nine jerseys of the first and second teams.

It will be a case of all hands to the deck though as they take on the league leaders away from home.

"It will be a tough game," said Hill. "But I think given a bit of luck, we could look at going there for a win. We are going there looking strong, we've got plenty of experience and also plenty of young lads coming through who will all get a taste of the first team at some point this season.

"Hopefully we can catch Rosebridge off guard a bit and close the gap on them in the league."

New Earswick All Blacks take on Thornhill Trojans 'A' at home (2pm) with several players returning from injury.

Jamie Daniel, Al Davison and Dean Smith are all set to return, although Mark Tipping is unavailable.

Tough cookie Steve Perks though will be in the line-up, despite upsetting a severe hand injury on his comeback last weekend.

Said coach Simon Baynes: "It was a really serious injury that split his wrist open and only just missed an artery a couple of months ago but he came back with his hand still bandaged and he was outstanding.

"He gives us a lot of go forward in the ruck. He adds a different dimension to the game and puts them on the back foot early in the tackle count which gives us real attacking momentum."

That attacking impetus will be needed against a young Trojans 'A' side who are expected to ask very different questions of the third-placed Pennine League division one side.

Selby Warriors play away at Drighlington 'A' in division four, Acorn 'A' go to Hoyland Vikings in division three and Heworth 'A' are at home to Upton in the Alliance Cup.

Updated: 10:26 Thursday, January 12, 2006