SKIPPER Josh Kimber is set to return for Ilkley as they turn their attention to the Yorkshire Cup.

The Dalesmen have a home tie against National Three North rivals Hull on Saturday and will be hoping to return to winning ways after three defeats in a row.

They also have the chance to avenge the 46-21 league reverse they suffered when they visited Humberside earlier this season.

Kimber has returned from holiday and is set to come into a side whose progress stalled in recent weeks through a combination of injuries, unavailability and loss of form.

Head of rugby Rhys Morgan, who also hopes to have scrum half Ryan Cooper back after missing the 30-19 defeat at Rossendale, does not want to make excuses, and sees the cup as a chance to get a boost.

He said: "All clubs have tough times and this is when your really see the character of your players. It's when they have to stand up and be counted.

"We have to keep working hard and believe in ourselves. We could easily have won the games at Wirral and Rossendale, but we didn't and we have to move on.

"It is important we take the positives from those games. There are areas of our play which are greatly improved.

"Our catch and drive hasn't worked well this season but it did last Saturday. It is important we persevere.

"In the past two seasons we have had things relatively easy. The step up to National League is a real test and looking at the fixtures coming up, it is not going to get any easier."