YORK City Knights boss Dave Woods says tomorrow’s crunch clash with arch-rivals Hunslet is not “do or die” – though he admits defeat would hit his side’s play-off chances.

The Knights go to the big-spending Championship One leaders lying fourth in the table with five games to play, four points behind Blackpool, who also have a game in hand.

Defeat would therefore leave Woods’ men needing a miracle to snatch third place and with it a far easier run in the play-offs. But, while stressing his side will bid to shock the free-scoring favourites, the Aussie has reduced the pressure on his players ahead of the big game.

“If we get beat, we’re still in play-off contention. If we win, we move up the ladder a bit more,” he said. “It’s not do or die. We’re going there looking for a solid performance.”

Such a miracle could yet come in the form of a points deduction for the big-spending Panthers amid rumours they face possible administration.

Woods added: “Defeat probably makes it harder for us to get third place. We’d then be relying on Blackpool getting a points deduction or losing games – but really we want to rely on ourselves to do the job. We’ll be going there to win.”

Woods was in no doubt tomorrow’s match would be his biggest test since taking over as Knights head coach, following wins over lowly Gateshead and Doncaster. Hunslet, under former Knights player-boss Paul March, have scored 622 points and conceded only 209 in their 13 wins out of 15 league matches.

But the Aussie said: “I haven’t looked at that (the stats). We need to get our house in order and play well. Hunslet have a lot of players who have played in higher divisions so they have a lot of experience. They’ve recruited very well and are strong right across the park. He (March) has done a good job.”

As revealed by The Press earlier this week, Knights points-machine Lee Waterman is sidelined for a month, while winger Dennis Tuffour has been controversially recalled by parent club Hull. Both are key attacking weapons for York.

However, playmaker-in- chief Chris Thorman, Danny Allan and big Brett Waller are back.

Hunslet have no injury worries other than former Knights second-row Rob Kelly, who has been out long-term after knee surgery but hopes to be back before the end of the campaign.

They have added two other ex-Knights, prop Adam Sullivan and centre Dave Clayton, to the 17 that hammered Swinton last week.

Woods added: “They’re going really well but we’re starting to improve little aspects of our game.

“We’ve lost a couple of players but got another few back so we’re not at full strength, but we’re gradually getting there.”

Hunslet (possible): from Kain, Oakes, McHugh, Haughey, Pryce, Grimshaw, P March, Sullivan, Haigh, Houston, Dooler, Knight, D March.

Subs from: Wabo, Chapman, Woodcock, Lowe, Helme, Clayton.

Knights (possible): Haynes, Wilson, Mitchell, Allan, Lineham, Thorman, Ratcliffe, Freer, Lee, Benson, Ross, Duckworth, Hardbottle.

Subs: Williams, Waller, Stearman, Clough.

Referee: Clint Sharrad (Manchester).

Kick-off: 3pm.