GARY THORNTON concedes York City Knights haven’t got the cash to compete with the Championship’s moneymen – but he is satisfied with how the money has been spent in the club’s recruitment ahead of his first season in charge.

The head coach is in the market for a new centre after Jon Goddard left the club without donning the shirt. Pack leader Paul King and fellow prop Clark Thompson have also departed due to work commitments.

But Thornton has already brought in the likes of Matty Nicholson, Luke Stenchion and Russ Dale knowing he would need extra front-row cover.

And, while he is still assessing some members of his 30-strong squad, he believes he potentially has excellent cover in every position thanks to the dual-registered contingent from Hull.

“There’s always room for improvement but with the budgets we’ve got, I’m happy with the squad,” he said, ahead of the league opener at Whitehaven on Sunday.

“We haven’t got a big budget, but we’ve got to make the most of what we’ve got and I think that’s what we’ve done.”