AJ Towse & Sam Cook to return for York Knights against Featherstone

It is all to play for in the race for the play-offs, with victory likely to bring with it a home tie. However, defeat could drop either side out of the top six altogether.

Kiwi Cook, who joined the Knights from French side Racing Club Albi in June, had been ruled out for the remainder of the season after pulling up during last month’s defeat at Halifax Panthers with a hamstring injury.

Despite returning to their preliminary squad, he was only fit enough to be one of the club’s waterboys at Sheffield Eagles last Friday, having been slightly behind Liam Harris, Ukuma Ta’ai and Jesse Dee, who all made their returns at Olympic Legacy Park.

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“Cooky will be back in contention this week,” head coach Mark Applegarth confirmed to The Press.

“He was a week behind the others, but he’s passed all of his markers so he will be available for selection.

“The others, they’ve been training for a couple of weeks with the squad, but they’ll be a lot better for getting that run out [at Sheffield].

“There’s no question of the quality of the players there, and the more competition we get and the more quality that we get, it’s only a good thing for York Knights.”

Towse is also back in contention, having missed the last fortnight with a delayed concussion, but this weekend’s match comes too early for Will Dagger.

A calf injury has kept the full-back out for the Knights’ last five matches, with Joe Brown and Nikau Williams among those to have deputised in the position in his absence.

Full-back Will Dagger is still a few weeks away from recovering from his calf injury. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) “I think the doctor submitted the all clear paperwork [for Towse] earlier this week,” Applegarth continued.

“There’s not been any hiccups that I’m aware of, so I think that he’ll be back available and in contention.

“The only player out is Will Dagger, who is still a couple of weeks away.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we don’t push him too hard and that we do the right thing by him as well.”