YORK KNIGHTS have been handed a big boost with Paul McShane set to return from a calf injury for Friday’s trip to his old club Castleford Tigers.
The former Man of Steel has been out of action for a month and his comeback is a timely one after York’s 72-20 home defeat to Wigan Warriors last Saturday.
McShane takes the place of Justin Sangaré in the only change to Mark Applegarth’s 21-man squad.
Castleford also make just one alteration, as Semi Valemei returns from suspension.
Having served a three-match ban for touching an injured player, Valemei replaces Darnell McInosh in coach Ryan Carr’s squad.
SQUADS
Tigers: 2 Semi Valemei, 3 Zac Cini, 6 Daejarn Asi, 7 Tom Weaver, 8 Renouf Atoni, 10 George Lawler, 11 Jordan Lane, 12 Alex Mellor, 13 Joe Stimson, 14 Brock Greacen, 21 Louis Senior, 22 Jason Qareqare, 23 Krystian Mapapalangi, 24 Jenson Windley, 25 Sam Hall, 27 Cain Robb, 31 Ashton Golding, 32 George Hirst, 35 Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, 36 Tyler Dupree, 38 Jack Brown
Knights: 1 Toa Mata’afa, 4 Sam Wood, 5 Scott Galeano, 6 Ata Hingano, 7 Liam Harris, 8 Jack Martin, 9 Paul McShane, 10 Paul Vaughan, 13 Jordan Thompson, 14 Denive Balmforth, 15 Xavier Va’a, 17 Kieran Hudson, 20 Oli Field, 21 Kieran Buchanan, 23 Jon Bennison, 24 Will Dagger, 26 Nikau Williams, 30 Harvey Reynolds, 37 Cody Hunter, 46 David Nofoaluma, 48 Tom Inman
Referee: James Vella
STATS
Castleford have won their last 10 home meetings with York.
York’s last away victory against Castleford was a 9-4 First Division win on 4 April, 1975.
Last ten meetings:
York 18, Castleford 24 (SLR11, 16/5/26)
York 16, Castleford 24 (NRCR5, 20/3/05)
(at Huntington Stadium)
Castleford 52, York 2 (NRCR1, 13/2/05)
Castleford 28, York 2 (CCR5, 26/2/99)
Castleford 40, York 14 (YCR2, 28/9/88)
York 18, Castleford 14 (SLC, 29/1/86)
(at Wigginton Road)
York 12, Castleford 10 (JPST-R1, 24/11/85)
(at Wigginton Road)
Castleford 34, York 6 (SLC, 18/9/85)
York 14, Castleford 12 (CCR3, 11/3/84)
(at Wigginton Road)
York 15, Castleford 15 (SLC, 29/11/81)
(at Wigginton Road)
Super League summary
Castleford won 1
York won 0
Castleford highest score: 24-18 (A, 2026) (also widest margin)
York highest losing score: 18-24 (H, 2026)