Mark Luffman is expecting Wharfedale to come straight out of the blocks in their National League Two derby at Cross Green on Saturday.

The Dalesmen were defeated 18-0 by their local rivals at The Avenue five weeks ago but Otley's coach said: "They will definitely play above themselves because it is us.

"Mind you, the same can be said of every team in the division as we are seen as one of the bigger clubs in the section."

The Greens might not have put any points on the board against Otley in November but Luffman is by no means taking things lightly before the leaders face a side in the bottom half of the table.

He said: "It should be an interesting match and the fact that it is just before Christmas will give it added spice.

"They'll come out as high as kites against us and they had plenty of possession the last time we played them.

"Chris Steel is good in the front row for them, Dave Lister is an excellent second row and Wharfedale have a very combative back row.

"They also have very decent half-backs and some pace on the wing and Chris Malherbe is a good centre."

However, having talked The Greens up, Luffman also rec-ognises that his own team are in decent form.

Slip-ups against Manchester and Stourbridge seem well in the past now as Otley aim for a fifth straight win and the coach is particularly pleased with their away form.

Luffman said: "We have beaten Wharfedale, Redruth and Blackheath in successive trips, and we played well in the first half last week at Blackheath.

"After that we went into our shell a bit but Blackheath were convinced beforehand that they would turn us over to re-ignite their own promotion bid."

Otley will be without fly half Alistair Monks due to a knee injury but they have a ready-made replacement in Adam Greendale.

The Leeds Carnegie player, who featured for the Cross Greeners earlier in the season before having his loan spell terminated, is back with Otley because Leeds' A-team match last Monday was postponed and he needs the match practice.

Luffman said: "It is hard luck on Alistair, who has been playing well, but it is nice that Adam can slot straight in."