A derby win at home to Hull Kingston Rovers tomorrow would be the perfect warm-up for Hull's biggest match of 2008, their Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final against Wakefield next Sunday.

For all the problems that have blighted a club who are almost certain to miss out on the engage Super League play-offs, Agar knows a first derby victory of 2008 could put a whole new complexion on a troubled season for Hull's faithful followers.

"The fans have been great for us this year. It has been a tough year and we've had some tough things to cope with, but the fans have remained true and loyal and they have got behind the boys.

"That's been very much appreciated and hopefully over the next two weeks we can give them something very much to cheer about."

Hull go into the derby looking to avenge an 11-0 defeat at Craven Park in March and a
22-17 reverse at Cardiff in May, a result which precipitated the departure of Agar's predecessor Peter Sharp.

Home advantage and a 20,000-plus crowd should bring out the best in Hull, despite the uncertainty surrounding the availability of new signing James Webster, the former Hull KR captain who is still awaiting confirmation from the Home Office that he has been granted a British passport.

Without that confirmation Webster still qualifies as an overseas player and with no spots on their quota – and a £40,000 suspended fine hanging over them from the Jamie Thackray debacle – Hull will delay giving the
29-year-old his debut without the necessary paperwork.

"At this moment we will keep a spot open as long as we can for James," said Agar, who is unable to call on the services of Hull's injured Australian half-back Adam Dykes.

"I am fairly relaxed about it. If James can play then fantastic, if he can't then so be it because we view James as long term at this club and it is not just all about one game.

"I am sure he will become a fairly integral part of this club in the future. It is not a case of we're desperate to play him because it is Hull KR. It is purely we need his qualities in our side."

There is no doubt that Webster's absence would diminish the sense of occasion about a match which would see him pit his wits against the man Rovers signed to replace him, Michael Dobson.

Hull KR's coach Justin Morgan last week hailed Dobson as "by far the best No 7 in the city" following the former Wigan, Catalans and Canberra scrum-half's sparkling four-try haul in a 39-22 defeat of Wigan.

The 22-year-old has a big part to play in Rovers' attempt to complete a fourth successive derby win for the first time in 27 years, a feat they have every chance to pull off with a team bolstered by the return from injury of full-back Shaun Briscoe, loose forward Chris Chester, utility player Ben Cockayne and England Test winger Peter Fox.

Elsewhere tomorrow Bradford Bulls host Wakefield with continued uncertainty over the future of England back row Sam Burgess, who is awaiting the results of a second scan on his injured shoulder.

Burgess has been named in a 19-man squad which also features hooker Terry Newton, but could be sidelined for the rest of the season if specialists decide the shoulder requires surgery, an outcome which would also rule the loose forward out of the World Cup.

Wakefield, who have lost their last three matches, desperately need a victory to lift their confidence ahead of next week's semi-final, tickets for which are still on sale at Belle Vue after the club received a further allocation of 80 yesterday.

Trinity coach John Kear will select from a 19-man squad featuring the 17 players involved in last week's defeat by Hull plus Paul Reilly and Duncan MacGillivray

Castleford Tigers head for Harlequins strengthened by the return of prop Craig Huby (shoulder) and captain Awen Guttenbiel, who has missed the last five matches with a leg injury.