THE players will not be adversely affected by Chris Thorman’s impending switch to Huddersfield and will give their all to lift York City Knights up the Championship standings.

That was the view of player-coach Thorman himself as he quickly got back to the normality of pre-match preparation following a tumultuous week in which he accepted a job offer from the Giants, discussed it with his employers and then let the playing staff know.

As reported by The Press, he does not go to the Galpharm Stadium until after the current season and so has eight games left at the Knights helm, starting tonight against Sheffield at the Don Valley Stadium (7.30pm).

And the 31-year-old has received a double boost ahead of the match – firstly by being told half-back partner Danny Nicklas will be available for York after all, and secondly by the players’ response to his own news.

“Their first reaction was to give me a round of applause so, unless it was sarcastic, I guess it was pretty positive,” he said.

“They were great. They all congratulated me. I think they all understand the game and know opportunities don’t come about very often.

“It won’t affect them on the pitch at all.”

The Knights remain near the foot of the table but rose off the bottom thanks to their first win of term against Swinton last time out.

“There’s no pressure of relegation this year, but, as I’ve said before, the pressure is from what you put on yourself and the standards you set,” added Thorman.

“Our performances have been pretty good over the past month or two. I just think against Swinton we went that extra yard as we could smell the victory.

“Now we’ve had a taste of victory hopefully we can have a few more before the season’s out.”

Dual-reg Hull half-back Nicklas, who enjoyed a fine debut against Swinton, was expected to be in the Airlie Birds’ Super League squad for Sunday’s trip to Warrington but instead he has been made available for York.

Club-mate Chris Green likewise did not train with the Knights on Tuesday but the pair of them, along with York’s third dual-reg player, Castleford’s John Davies, are in tonight’s squad.

It means Thorman can have his wish of fielding an unchanged line-up for the first time this year, although he has added Ed Smith to the 17, with the young second-row possibly replacing Tom Bush on the bench. Bush was an unused sub against Swinton having not been needed as cover in the backs.

Said Thorman: “There are a few options for us. It’s good we’ve got our dual-reg players. They certainly strengthen the squad. I’m grateful Danny’s available – he’s a very good player and we need him.”

York have so far lost to Sheffield in the league, the Northern Rail Cup and Challenge Cup this term, and have not beaten them since March 2006, seven meetings ago.

Thorman added: “We’ve trained well and we’re on the back of a win. We should have beaten them the last time we played them, so we’re confident we can get something from the game.”

Sheffield are considering omitting top points-scorer Simon Brown as his half-back partnership with Dom Brambani has stuttered.

Dane McDonald or Quentin Laulu-Togagae could start at stand-off, although Laulu-Togagae has enjoyed a wonderful season at full-back, adding another four tries to his tally in last week’s 48-0 Northern Rail Cup win over Hunslet. York lad Pat Smith, brother of Ed, could feature, while new dual-reg signing James Davey is likely to be given his debut.

Eagles boss Mark Aston said: “York got a good win last week. We know a lot about each other but there’s no complacency. York will be a difficult task. They have people who can play outstanding rugby league.”

Knights: from Tansey, Pryce, Garside, Ford, Elliott, Thorman, Nicklas, Sullivan, Lee, Aldous, Davies, Clarke, King, Turner, Freer, Green, Bush, E Smith.

Sheffield (possible): from Laulu-Togagae, Finigan, Yere, Taulapapa, Morrison, Brown, Brambani, Howieson, Henderson, Stringer, Knowles, Hirst, McDonald, Szostak, Green, Higgins, Scott, P Smith, Davey.

Referee: Jamie Leahy (Batley).