MICK Ramsden reckons his York Select side will give York City Knights a "run for their money" in tomorrow's friendly.

The representative team, made up of players from the York amateur scene plus a few former Huntington Stadium favourites, have much more experience than the youthful Knights line-up, and Ramsden believes it will be a close-run contest.

"Looking at the two teams, it's going to be quite an even game," he said. "I know many in the Knights team are fringe players, but they have trained with York over the winter and they will be fit and strong and keen to impress.

"I think my squad is a good squad, though, and I think we're going to give them a run for their money."

New Earswick product Ben Jones had been brought into the side, but has now withdrawn, so young New Earswick half-back Liam Gargan is back in the 22-man squad. They were having their second training session today.

Ramsden added: "It will be an achievement for the lads to put on a good performance having only trained twice together, but we could get a result. It's a good opportunity for some lads who could be knocking on the Knights' door."

Proceeds from tomorrow's game will go to the family of former Knight Lee McTigue, the York Acorn ARLC prop who died of cancer last month aged 29. His brother, Martin, also an Acorn player, has been named captain and will start in the second row, while the number eight shirt will be left unused as a mark of respect, with starting prop Danny Caldwell wearing number 14. The McTigue family have also been given a sponsors' box at the stadium.

Ramsden said of his former team-mate: "The first time I really met Lee was doing the pre-season training under Paul Broadbent in the build-up to the Knights' first season in 2003.

"He had a really good off-season and seemed a really strong player. He never played many games for whatever reason, but he's always been a strong player.

"I've watched Acorn for a few years and saw how good he was, probably one of the best props in the amateur game over the last ten years, especially around York. He was always well respected. I got to know him a bit and he was pretty charismatic. He was quite funny and a really good lad. I hope he gets the big turnout he deserves."

Tomorrow's Huntington Stadium teams

Knights: Mapals, Leeke, Danville, Oakes, Ferris, Ratcliffe, Gargan, Endersby, Hughes, Bailey, Divorty, Kelly, Grundy. Subs: Palmer, Hodgson, Blaney, O Wilcox-Harrison, Jack Stearman, Luke Watling.

York Select (probable): Steve Perks (New Earswick), Joe Stearman (New Earswick, Knights academy), Matty Embleton (Cas Panthers), Mike Embleton (Acorn), Leigh Rientoul (Heworth, Knights academy), Darren Callaghan (Acorn), Tim Elliot (Acorn), Danny Caldwell (Acorn), Lee Jackson, Sam Clarke (Heworth), Carl Barrow (New Earswick), Martin McTigue (Acorn), Luke Judson (Heworth). Subs: Craig Forsyth, Chris Varley (Heworth), Brian Wright (New Earswick), Gareth Lloyd (Acorn), Alan Willitts (Acorn), Steve Waldron (Acorn), Liam Gargan (New Earswick), Dan Potter (Heworth).

Referee: Gareth Evans (York). Kick off: 3pm.