JAMES FORD has not ruled out a long-term positional switch for try machine Ben Dent.

The 23-year-old bagged 20 touchdowns in 23 appearances last year in his first season as a fully-fledged first-team winger, finishing as the joint-second top scorer in Championship One with 18.

But new head coach Ford, having brought the former New Earswick ARLC youngster through the academy system, reckons he has the skills and awareness to make the grade at full-back too.

Dent, who has only sparingly been used in that role during his first-team career, filled in there in the opening pre-season friendly against Hull last week after new recruit Josh Nicklin and first-choice number one James Haynes both departed with injury.

He could well start this Sunday's friendly against Featherstone in that position too, with Nicklin still sidelined and Haynes set for another run at half-back.

Said Ford: "Ben switched there and looked promising. There are one or two areas he needs to improve on but he can fill in there and do a more-than-solid job.

"He is an outstanding finisher - a natural finisher, as we saw last year with some of the outstanding tries he scored on the wing. He's a good support player and a direct runner of the ball.

"But only time will tell which position he is better at in the long run."

Ford is gearing up to utilise his full-back, in many respects, as a third half-back when the Knights have possession, effectively part of a creative force, meaning Dent, more of a direct-running support player with pace to burn, may have to adapt his game if he gets a long run in the number one shirt in Haynes' stead.

"Ben would be more of a running full-back, a support player, while James is more of a hands-on-the-ball player," explained Ford.

"But Ben is also a skilful player and can do a good job. He's capable of playing with ball in hand.

"He played a bit of half-back for the under-20s and has played at full-back for the first team and shown signs of promise.

"I have a lot of confidence in him as a player and as a person."

"There are one or two areas he needs to improve on but he can fill in there and do a more-than-solid job.

"He is an outstanding finisher - a natural finisher, as we saw last year with some of the outstanding tries he scored on the wing. He's a good support player and a direct runner of the ball.

"But only time will tell which position he is better at in the long run."

Ford is gearing up to utilise his full-back, in many respects, as a third half-back when the Knights have possession, effectively part of a creative force, meaning Dent, more of a direct-running support player with pace to burn, may have to adapt his game if he gets a long run in the number one shirt in Haynes' stead.

"Ben would be more of a running full-back, a support player, while James is more of a hands-on-the-ball player," explained Ford.

"But Ben is also a skilful player and can do a good job. He's capable of playing with ball in hand.

"He played a bit of half-back for the under-20s and has played at full-back for the first team and shown signs of promise.

"I have a lot of confidence in him as a player and as a person."

Meanwhile, half-back pairing Pat Smith and Jonny Presley will team up as the Knights' representatives at the Rugby League Rocks event to be staged in Manchester on Sunday, February 1 - and supporters are invited to go along with them.

The event is part of the Rugby Football League's official launch of #RLNewEra - the restructured league format - and will be held at the Victoria Warehouse in Stretford from 6pm to 9pm.

Hosted by former European and Commonwealth 400 metres champion Iwan Thomas and BBC presenter Mark Chapman, the event will include a 60-minute entertainment show described as a cross between Top Gear and A League Of Their Own, with a live audience, music, video, players on stage and fan interaction.

Each club from all three professional divisions will be sending players.

Tickets, priced £10, are available from the Knights' Roland Court office or by phoning 01904 767404, with proceeds staying with the club.