JAMES RATCLIFFE has called on the York City Knights fans to raise the roof tomorrow in the long-awaited clash with arch-rivals Hunslet.

The injury-hit Knights go into the match (3pm) as underdogs against the bookies’ current favourites for the title, but head coach Ratcliffe reckons the Huntington Stadium faithful can play a part in helping his side overcome the odds – and jump right back in the promotion reckoning after last week’s last-minute win at leaders Oldham.

Players at visiting clubs have often commented how hard it can be when feeling the brunt of York’s partisan crowd, and, although the many ex-Knights in the Hawks’ ranks will be accustomed to the surroundings, they will not be used to being on the receiving end.

And when asked if the supporters could make a difference tomorrow, Ratcliffe said: “Most definitely.

“The fans have anticipated this game all season. It would be great to get good backing from them and hopefully that will be the case.

“I know a few have said some of the players don’t play for the shirt, but I think last week showed the players are very committed. We showed a lot of commitment and desire when we were up against it, going up the slope.

“Hopefully the crowd can get behind us and we can give them something more to shout about.”

Tomorrow’s match has extra significance as Hunslet could have no fewer than 11 ex-Knights in their line-up, eight of whom played at York last year.

Ratcliffe reckoned those players would have nothing to prove on their return, and said both sides would look to keep emotions in check. “Some of them were offered contracts by York so it’s not that they weren’t wanted,” he said.

“They decided they wanted to play elsewhere. But it was last year. Professional sports people move about.”

He added: “If you let emotions get hold of you, that’s when you come away from your game.

“I don’t think emotions will come into it. It’s about who applies themselves better on the day. It’s important for the standings in the league.”

Last week’s win showed the Knights could compete with the top teams in the league, but it came at a cost. As reported by The Press, of the 17 on duty that day, only seven trained on Tuesday night, a figure which rose only to ten on Thursday night.

The team had another session last night and Ratcliffe was to leave it until as late as possible to name his line-up tomorrow.

Richard Blakeway and Jordan Ross were known to be among the players struggling to make it, but Ratcliffe kept other injury doubts under wraps, so as not to give the Hawks any more advantageous information ahead of the match.

“We’ve not ruled anybody out at the moment,” he added. “The people we might bring in are quite capable anyway.”

Chris Clough could return having been named in the 20-man provisional squad, though fellow second-row Danny Hill is again omitted. Both players dropped down the pecking order after missing some training sessions in recent weeks.

Knights: from Ratcliffe, Tuffour, Lineham, Waterman, Wilson, Stamp, Bromilow, McLocklan, Lee, Freer, Stearman, Waller, Fallon, Applegarth, Ross, Blakeway, Lewis, Duckworth, Hardbottle, Clough.

Hunslet: from Kain, Mark, Oakes, Clayton, McHugh, Pryce, Grimshaw, P March, Sullivan, Chapman, Houston, Dooler, Haughey, D March, Haigh, Robinson, Lowe, Woodcock, Helme.

Referee: Dave Merrick (Castleford).