HEAD coach James Ford isn't fussed who York City Knights end up facing in the League One play-offs – saying they have to beat the best to get promoted regardless.

Ford's men go to North Wales Crusaders tomorrow (2.30pm) for their penultimate fixture of the campaign knowing victory would guarantee at least fourth in the table.

Swinton would then be the likely opponents in the semi-finals, whereas dropping points in the next two games could leave York fifth and visiting Keighley or Oldham.

Ford has previously pinpointed Swinton and Oldham as the biggest threats but he is paying no heed to the ramifications of results to come, saying he has no preferred semi-final opponents, and has his focus only avenging the recent loss to the Welshmen.

"If we're going to go up, we have to beat the best teams regardless of where we finish – and we can't wait to have a crack at them. That's the top and bottom of it," declared Ford.

"We want to play the best teams in the competition and prove ourselves. We want to go up and challenge teams in the Championship and if we're serious about doing that, we need to be excited about playing and beating the best in our league.

"We'd ideally like a home game, which would be better for the supporters, but it's impossible to predict the final outcome of the table.

"We're just thinking about beating North Wales and getting our performance right. If you get your performances right, the league table takes care of itself.

"We've got two more rounds before we figure out who we get in the play-offs."

The top two come the end of the regular season face each other in a "promotion final", with the winners going straight up and the losers going into a play-off semi-final at home to the team in fifth. Third host fourth in the other semi-final.

As things stand – with first or second place mathematically possible but realistically improbable – York are looking likely to face Swinton in the play-off semi-finals home or away. To get third place and a home tie, the Knights need to win their last two games and see Swinton slip up against Oldham tomorrow.

But if they end fifth, it would probably leave a semi-final at leaders Oldham or second-placed Keighley – whoever loses the promotion final.

North Wales, Rochdale and, with an outside shot, Barrow are vying for the last semi-final place and could await in the play-off final.

Ford said: "In my opinion, we're probably going to have to beat Swinton at some point down the line. But I'm not bothered if it's home or away, on a neutral ground or in the car park. We'll be ready."

The Knights lost 30-28 when they met the Crusaders in an amazing game on August 20, falling to a late penalty after fighting back to level from 28-0 down.

The injury-ravaged Welsh side had only 16 men that night but have an 18-man squad this weekend, with Sam Peet, Matt Reid, Jonny Walker and Karl Ashall now available in a stronger line-up.

Ford said: "They're a very good team – they put 28 points past us in 40 minutes, which is a feat in itself. It's one that's left us a bit raw and we're looking forward to showing what we're really about in what I'm sure will be a fantastic spectacle.

"They will also be better this weekend. They won't be happy either with conceding 28 points in 40 minutes. The team that improves the most from that night will win the game."

Young James Morland gets another chance to impress – his second since rejoining the club from rugby union – having been named at centre, with Liam Cunningham again left out and Tyler Craig in the treatment room.

Micky Learmonth has been passed fit and will look to make amends for conceding the late penalty against the Crusaders last time.

Brad Hey and young Liam Richmond make way from the 17 that beat Hemel.

Crusaders coach Anthony Murray said: "I'm sure York will be wanting to put a few things right (after the previous meeting).

"If the Barrow-Rochdale result goes our way and we beat York, then we make the play-offs with a game remaining. York will want to finish as high as they can to get a home draw in the play-offs.

"I'm anticipating a really tough game and hopefully an exciting one."

Crusaders (from): Thompson, Joy, Moulsdale, Oakden, Jullien, Roets, Davies, Dallimore, Burke, J Walker, Ashall, Hudson, Reid, Massam, Duffy, Peet, Wild, Johnson.

Knights (probable): Howden, B Dent, Morland, Minikin, Morrison, P Smith, Presley, Applegarth, Brining, Learmonth, E Smith, Tonks, Aldous. Subs: Carter, Nicholson, Mallinder, Blagbrough.