BEN Cockayne is relishing the prospect of locking horns with good friend Josh Johnson when York City Knights host Barrow Raiders tomorrow.

Johnson is a former team-mate of Cockayne’s from his Hull Kingston Rovers days and the two were briefly reunited at York in League One last year when the forward played six times for the City Knights on dual-registration.

Cockayne, who is set to make his 350th career appearance tomorrow, makes no secret of the fact he would love to have Johnson back on his side and is ready for a physical battle with Barrow.

“They will be physical as always, like most Cumbrian teams,” Cockayne told Knights TV. “Josh Johnson is a good mate of mine and I wish we could have got him down here. He’s got the ‘grunt’ that you like from a front-rower.

“They’re a solid team. They’ve been in and around that level - the Championship - for a number of years now and they’ve always performed well.

“We expect a tough test every week but these are a big, physical Cumbrian side, who will no doubt try to challenge us in the middle.

“I believe they’ve got some PNG guys now as well so I’m sure that’s going to add some punch to their go-forward.”

York, promoted from League One as champions in 2018, put the rest of the Betfred Championship on alert last Sunday when they came from 16 points down to win 26-22 away to Dewsbury Rams.

However, head coach James Ford is likely to make several changes to the side, including bringing in young winger Judah Mazive to replace the suspended Perry Whiteley.

Second row Joe Batchelor is in line to start too after returning on loan from St Helens, which would see Liam Salter move to centre.

“It’s great to have that competition back,” head coach James Ford told the York Press. “There are 27 league games to play, all of high intensity week in week out.

“Players are going to find form or not be on top form or pick up knocks. Everyone has a part to play.”