YORK City Knights head coach James Ford admits he will find it difficult to leave out Ben Dent again after his display on Sunday - and impossible to omit younger brother Adam.

Ben has been in and out of the side this year despite topping last year’s try-scoring charts in his first full season as a first-team regular, but he replaced crocked skipper James Haynes for the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup fifth-round win over Leigh Miners and duly notched 16 points from a try and six goals in a flamboyant display at full-back.

Adam, meanwhile, was drafted in for his 2015 bow and only his third first-team performance in all - due to injuries to Jamel Chisholm and Tyler Craig - and he too crossed the whitewash, while saving at least two tries at the other end in a fine defensive show.

Ford was quick to hail both performances, especially that of 21-year-old Adam, after his first call-up for 11 months - saying he will definitely keep his place when Coventry Bears visit Clifton Park in League One on Sunday.

“Adam was absolutely outstanding,” he said. “He’s been so patient and seen other wingers go above him in the pecking order.

“But his skill level and his understanding of the game are outstanding and I will struggle to find a reason for improvement after that performance.”

As to whether the 21-year-old would now be first choice, he said: “I don’t want to have ‘first-choice’ players - I want everyone to think if they play well they’re going to stay in the team.

“Adam will stay in the team after that. His performance was not much short of being top-class.”

Both brothers came through the under-18s, U20s and reserves under Ford’s tutelage, with their rise to prominence a shot in the arm for the club’s development policy - which will hopefully be up and running again if and when the community stadium saga ends on a positive note.

Dent the older, 23, played primarily on the wing last year when he notched 20 tries in 23 appearances, but Ford reckons his “long-term future is probably as full-back”.

He caught the eye on Sunday with a confident display, including a few back-door passes near his own try-line - which all came off - as well as kicking the goals in Haynes’ stead.

Said Ford: “He’s got areas to improve on as a full-back - all our players are outstanding in one or two areas, but need to improve in others.

“Ben’s quick and he reads the game well. When he’s confident he will play. He reacts well.

“It’s pretty high-risk stuff sometimes, but I don’t want to coach that out of him as it can set him aside from other players - but sometimes he needs to be a bit more appropriate to the situation and where we are on the pitch."