YORK CITY KNIGHTS v FEATHERSTONE ROVERS
ON-LOAN prop forward Richard Wilson looks set to get his first start in York's colours in the Arriva Trains Cup quarterfinal qualifying clash with long-time rivals Featherstone. Wilson has impressed City Knights coach Richard Agar, who is searching for an experienced front row man to replace the recently retired Ritchie Hayes and thus could clinch a permanent move from Hull KR if he performs well.

Agar, who is always prepared to make changes, is also set to leave out winger Rob Kama, centre Mark Cain and prop Andy Burland as the City Knights come up against Rovers for a fourth time in eight weeks.

"We have won three out of three against Featherstone, but that's all in the past. It's Sunday's game that's important to us,'' said Agar, who brings back Aaron Woods, Scott Walker and Tom Andrews, while winger Alex Godfrey could make the kick-off if he overcomes a hamstring injury.

"There is nothing we don't know about Featherstone and I suppose nothing they don't know about us, which makes it an even contest yet again,'' said Agar.

Featherstone will be without centre Richard Newlove and prop Jim Carlton, who both picked up midweek suspensions. Carlton got a one-match ban, while Newlove was banned for four games, one for his dismissal against York two weeks ago and three after being cited against Oldham on Easter Monday.

"I think we will appeal over Richard's suspension,'' said non-nonsense Rovers coach Gary Price, who last week took internal action with a suspension and fine on prop Carlton for his dismissal for alleged violent conduct. Price has released on-loan Huddersfield Giants centre Ben Feehan while he drafts young fullback prospect Craig Moss into the Rovers' squad.

"We are desperate for a win and hopeful that it will happen at York, but this is far from a grudge match,'' said Price, who has had more than his fair share of ill-luck since taking over at Featherstone.

BARROW RAIDERS v KEIGHLEY COUGARS
HALFBACKS Darren Holt and Chris Archer are the main worries for Barrow coach Peter Roe ahead of their Arriva Trains Cup quarterfinal qualifier at home to Keighley.

Archer has a 50/50 chance of making the kick-off, but Holt's groin strain could rule him out, according to Roe, who also has doubts with prop Stuart Dancer, who picked up a rib injury in the 32-14 win at Workington.

"It's impossible to say at this stage whether all three will make it or not,'' said Roe, who already has Adam Pate and Tama Wakelin ruled out with hamstring injuries. Nick Beech, scorer of a brace of tries at Workington, retains his place in the side, while Roe is set to utilise Paul Jones' versatility, if either Archer or Holt drop out.

"It will be a case of jiggling things about to accommodate the loss of Chris or Darren,'' said Roe, who is anticipating a tough contest with his home town club Keighley.

"It's a big test for us because Keighley are in a higher division. But we are improving generally all round as our away form suggests,'' he said.

The Cougars have four players in danger of missing the game and two others unavailable. Fullback James Rushforth, along with Lee Patterson, Danny Ekis and Richard Mervill are rated extremely doubtful through injury, while halfback Craig Nipperess and former Oldham prop Jason Clegg are ruled out with work commitments.

Academy fullback Adam Webster is added to the squad, with coach Gary Moorby selecting other back up from his thriving Under 21s.

"It's always a tough proposition going into Cumbria and this will be no exception to the rule.

"We are not looking for excuses beforehand, but injuries could play a big part in the result,'' said Moorby, who has ex-Swinton forward Chris Roe, son of the Barrow coach, pencilled in for a place on the bench.

DONCASTER DRAGONS v OLDHAM
IN-FORM Doncaster face six-match unbeaten Oldham in what promises to be a scintillating, high-scoring Arriva Trains Cup quarter final qualifying match full of intensity.

Dragons boss St John Ellis has a finely balanced mix of youth and experience who are proving to be no pushovers on their own ground. With only centre Gareth Lloyd an injury doubt; Ellis looks set to name an unchanged line-up, although he may add youngsters Tom Buckingham, Johnny Woodcock and Wayne Green to the squad ahead of the game.

"We are a very competitive side with a good sprinkling of youth and experience,'' explained Ellis, who refutes suggestions that Doncaster are anything but above board.

"Some people have branded us as a dirty side, but that is far from the truth. I have told the players there is no point in training like Tarzan and playing like Jayne. We play the game hard, but that doesn't make us any different to other teams in the game.

"Preparation is the key to success, so if we prepare right for any game, we feel we have the chance to win it,'' said Ellis, whose signing of former Dewsbury and Wakefield prop Andy Fisher has proved to be a major coup.

"Andy is a true professional and a great pack leader,'' said Ellis. Oldham welcome loose forward Lee Marsh back from a one-match suspension, while club skipper Phil Farrell came through his first game in six months with no ill effects.

"It was good to have Phil back on the pitch again. Lee Doran has done a fantastic job as stand-in skipper, but I think he was glad to give Phil the arm-band back,'' said coach Steve Molloy, who has Gavin Dodd and Simon Svabic doubtful with respective shoulder injuries.

Both missed Oldham's big win over Halifax, while hopes that prop Paul Southern can shake off his groin strain are looking extremely slim.

"Paul's time on the pitch is getting less and less each game, so we may need to get him in for surgery sooner rather than later,'' said Molloy, who has turned Oldham's fortunes round in the space of four weeks.

"It's surprising what a run of wins will do for a team's confidence. We were getting some bad press and everyone called for blood, then suddenly we are winning and it's all quiet again,'' said Molloy.

The inclusion of Pat Rich could have a major bearing on the outcome for Oldham, now that he has switched to the left, but Doncaster's vastly experienced playmaker Graham Holroyd will have a big say on the result of this clash.