"WE'RE going there with confidence and without any pressure - which are two good ingredients for a performance."

So says York City Knights boss James Ford, who reckons the weight of expectation is all on old adversaries Oldham ahead of tomorrow's top-of-the-table clash in Kingstone Press League One.

The Knights go to Whitebank (3pm) on a four-match winning streak which has lifted them to third in the table. Oldham sit at the summit, two points above, albeit having played one game more.

Roughyeds boss Scott Naylor told The Press the match was "probably one of the more important ones because you have to win as many home games against the big teams as you can". And Ford was quick to concur - in one way.

He said: "I agree it's a very important game for Oldham. The pressure is on Scott and his team. It's a home game for them and everyone will be expecting them to win.

"It's probably a must-win game for them but I don't think that's the case for us. They only play us once and it's at their ground and they will need to beat us."

The quirky fixture list this year means this is the only time the sides will meet in the regular season, with no return match in York.

Ford, referring to the community stadium saga which has left his side homeless so far this season, said: "Oldham's preparation has also been as planned - they've got a ground and training facilities.

"They're a good team and should be up near the top. We're probably overachieving at the moment, what with everything that has gone on, and that's credit to my players.

"We've never said we're going to win the league or be the best team in the league. We're still improving and developing as a group and as individuals.

"But we've got a lot of character at this club and a lot of ability. We'll go there confident and with no pressure on us, and those are two good ingredients for a performance."

Ford is sticking with the same 13 that beat Swinton at Elmpark Way last week but makes one change on the bench, with Ryan Mallinder replacing fellow forward Micky Learmonth.

The head coach explained: "Micky probably came back (from injury) a week early and had some discomfort in his ankle.

"We made the judgement call - Micky played and Ryan missed out. But he tweaked the ankle and I would want him to get through a bit more competitive work at training to make sure he's 100 per cent.

"He's had bad luck with injuries and wants to get back on the field to take his career forward but to do that he needs to be 100 per cent fit."

This will be Mallinder's first appearance since getting married and Ford joked he had not noticed much change in his persona despite his coming back in "a new man".

He said: "Ryan's a good player. He's similar to Micky - he's aggressive and carries the ball with intent - and we will need that when we come up against arguably the most physical team in the competition."

On Oldham, Ford warned: "They start every game quick - they come out like a house on fire. We expect them to have a whole heap of intent, a lot of pace and a lot of aggression.

"The middle of the field is generally one of their strengths and the hooker (Gareth) Owen on the back of quick rucks goes well. The second-rows (Danny) Langtree and (Josh) Crowther are also aggressive in everything they do, so we'll need to be aware of where they are.

"They've got strength all over the park but we feel we have a good plan and we're looking forward to executing it."

Knights (probable): B Dent, Clare, Channing, Minikin, Morrison, Howden, Presley, Applegarth, P Smith, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Nicholson. Subs: Brining, Mallinder, Blagbrough, Cunningham. Stand-by: Learmonth, Haynes.