YORK City Knights have signed Sheffield winger Nev Morrison on loan and he will almost certainly make his debut against Dewsbury Rams on Sunday.

Head coach Gary Thornton is keen to bring more strike power into the outside backs, and believes Morrison can provide much-needed pace and try-scoring ability to Huntington Stadium, even if it is only in the short-term.

The move was completed yesterday, after the Knights learned they would not be getting headline-hitting full-back Jamie Shaul on dual-registration from Hull this weekend, as had previously been thought.

Said Thornton: “Nev was a player we targeted at the start of the season. I’ve coached against him when he was in Hull’s under-20s and he has plenty of pace. He’s strong and he has strike power.

“I think we’ve been lacking that out wide, if I’m honest. He can finish.”

The 22-year-old, who joined Sheffield ahead of the 2012 season, lost his place in the Eagles team towards the end of last season, despite scoring 17 tries in 27 appearances, and missed out on their Grand Final success. He has only played five times this season, scoring one try. He previously played for Doncaster on dual-reg from Hull.

He arrives at York initially for a month, but may stay longer, depending on the likelihood of Hull offering up threequarters on dual-reg, and on Sheffield’s requirements. He will not be allowed to play in next weekend’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup fourth round tie against Toulouse Olympique, but can feature against Dewsbury, Hunslet and Leigh.

The arrival is well-timed as Nat Browne remains a doubt for Sunday’s visit of the Rams, while James Haynes took a bang to his back during last weekend’s last-minute Challenge Cup win at Blackbrook.

Added Thornton of new recruit Morrison: “Nat Browne is more of a power-type winger who can come inside and help out. Nev is a traditional winger – he will do the hard yards as well but he’s got pace to score tries. He’s more of a strike threat than a defensive winger and we’re a bit short of that.”

Thornton’s other options for wing berths are Ben Dent and George Elliott, although Jack Latus could move out wide if James Ford passes fit to take his centre berth. Captain Ford is currently rated 50-50 due to a groin problem.

Shaul, a full-back who played on the wing in the Knights’ season opener at Whitehaven, is not an option this week, though, as Hull have kept him back as cover. He enjoyed an eye-catching two-try debut for the Airlie Birds against Wakefield but was left out against Catalan and had been expected to be offered up on dual-reg.

Asked if Morrison could stay longer than a month, Thornton said: “A lot depends on Hull. I’ve only got Danny Nicklas, Jack Briscoe and Liam Kent (on dual-reg) this week.”