YORK City Knights have continued to build for the future by signing on five of the current squad for next season.

Former Super League centre Dan Potter has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal at his home-town club, while Knights Player of the Year contender Adam Sullivan, Player of the Month for July Lee Paterson, local utility star Jonny Liddell and in-form hooker Jim Elston have all agreed to stay for another year.

The signing of Elston is particularly notable as it is thought a few National League One clubs as well as Super League outfit Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, with whom he works as a development officer, were on his tail.

The signings form part of the Knights' future, whether it be in National League One as hoped - they currently lead National League Two by five points with four games to go - or for a renewed promotion bid next season should they stay in NL2 this term.

It is understood the Knights are talking to other members of the present squad as regards next year.

The Evening Press also believes they are considering making moves for a number of current Super League players, past Great Britain internationals among them.

Mick Cook's men can take another step towards promotion on Sunday at home to London Skolars, where a victory would leave the Knights needing just two more points from the remaining three games to secure the NL2 title.

York-born former Leigh and Widnes star Potter has scored 11 tries this year and has been half of a 32-try wing-centre partnership with Leeds loanee Peter Fox.

Ex-Hull KR prop Sullivan has missed only one match this term and was the fans' Player of the Month in March, April and May - the only player to take the award on three consecutive occasions.

Former Keighley loose-forward Paterson has been another consistent performer, while fellow York product, Liddell, has been a vital utility player, having played at full-back, loose-forward and stand-off during the campaign.

Updated: 11:42 Friday, August 12, 2005