AUSTIN Buchanan is returning to York City Knights, the Press can reveal.

Talks with Buchanan's current club, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, have been ongoing for some time and an agreement has been reached which sees the winger sign on loan for the rest of the season.

The Press also understands that the Knights are tailing Salford City Reds prop Mitchell Stringer, the former Sheffield Eagles star who joined the Reds from fellow Super league outfit London Broncos last year.

That move depends on a number of factors, while it is thought his local club, Sheffield, may also be interested.

Buchanan first joined York midway through 2004 and scored 15 tries in 16 appearances that year. He broke his wrist on the opening day of last season and only returned for the three games at the back end of the season, scoring two tries, before signing for Wakefield.

The 21-year-old has played in Super League this year but his chances have been limited and he returns to York for match action at LHF Healthplan National League One level.

Knights boss Mick Cook said: "He's a quality player. He missed a lot of last year with us because of injury but he's a proven winger. He's exciting, strong and quick - all the attributes of an out-and-out winger - and he will bring extra pace to the squad."

Buchanan was registered late yesterday, just in time for the 2006 Northern Rail Cup deadline. He will not feature in tomorrow's quarter-final at Workington but will be allowed to play in the semi-final and final if York get there.

The Press has learnt his is a similar deal to the one that brought fellow winger Peter Fox back on loan from Leeds Rhinos.

Both Buchanan and Fox are set to stay for the season though they can be called back to their parent club with three days' notice, albeit only to play in Super League.

Knights chief executive John Guildford said: "He (Buchanan) is not getting a (first-team) game and it's not worth him playing Under-21s. He might as well get some competition with us.

"If they want him back for the first team they can call him back - we would not stop the lads playing Super League."

Updated: 09:51 Saturday, May 06, 2006