Tom Collard will again be handed the key role of stand-off as Ilkley look to extend their 14-match unbeaten run.

With Josh Kimber ruled out of the Yorkshire Division One trip to Pontefract by a chest infection, Collard retains the number ten shirt after impressing in last Saturday’s 20-13 win over Old Brodleians.

Coach Rhys Morgan said: “Tom stepped in last week and did a good job for us.

“He has shown a really good attitude since losing his favoured scrum half position to Ryan Cooper, and that has really pleased me.

“I thought he made a number of good decisions and his kicking game helped us to win what proved to be a difficult game.”

Ilkley, who will be keeping an interested eye on the result of the clash between leaders Dinnington and third-placed Doncaster Phoenix, will be without their experienced centre Alistair Monks against lowly Pontefract.

He is away on holiday so they are expected to move JH Johnson in from the wing to form a centre partnership with Steve Nolson.

That would open the way for the powerful Matt Lovett, who made an appearance as a replacement against Old Brodleians, to make his first league start.

With centre Craig Barker sidelined with a shoulder injury and Elliott Morgan unavailable due to Yorkshire and Northumbria University comm-itments Ilkley’s back resources are being stretched.

Morgan said: “It is important that we work our way through these problems.

“I expect all of our remaining fixtures to be tough but if we want to win promotion we have to be up to the test.

“Pontefract will be out to make things difficult for us and we have to make sure we are ready f