ROB SPICER is likely to start today as York City Knights look to upset the formbook away to Barrow.
The double Player of the Year played for just over 20 minutes of Good Friday's 26-20 defeat to Gateshead, scoring a last-minute consolation try that at least sealed York a bonus losing point.
It was his first run-out after knee surgery last year, and assistant-coach James Ratcliffe said he was likely to be unleashed from the outset as the Knights take on in-form Raiders, who got their National League Two
campaign off to a flier with a Cumbrian derby defeat of Workington.
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"One of the most pleasing aspects of Friday was
seeing Rob back out in a York shirt. It will be pleasing for the York fans and it was certainly pleasing for us," said Ratcliffe.
"He's a good guy to have around the place. He's been ultra professional in the build-up to this game."
Ratcliffe said Spicer's knee held up well. "He was quite nervous before Friday's game, as you would imagine, but he's done the hard bit now - he's beaten it in his head," he said. "He's got back out on the field."
Spicer had been considered for a starting role, but it was decided not to ask too much of him straight away.
Asked why the 23-year-old wasn't entered into the fray until the three-quarter mark, Ratcliffe said: "It was with today in mind, and it was also Rob's first game in a long time. We needed to get him out there at some stage.
"In an ideal world we would have liked to start him but, no disrespect to Rob, it probably wasn't the fixture for him to start with. But he's done the hard work now, and it's effectively a new player for York isn't it?"
Ratcliffe was under no illusions about the size of the task his team faced today against a side who are third favourites for the title.
"They've got off to a great start. They beat (National League One
promotion-seekers) Widnes at home last week (in the Northern Rail Cup) and they beat Workington, a good competitive team, 14-0 on Friday. We're going to have to be really smart. We need to turn around quickly.
"We need to rectify a few things again. We need to work hard. We've got to get back on the bike and start riding it. Hopefully, we can come up with some kind of performance up in Cumbria."
York City Knights (possible): Ratcliffe,
Mapals, Oakes, Lewis, Waldron, P March, Grimshaw, Ekis, Hughes, Buckley, Applegarth, Esders, Spicer. Subs from: Kelly, Divorty, Woodcock, D March, Hodgson, Grundy, Bailey, Endersby.
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