MICKY LEARMONTH will head into tomorrow's key clash with Swinton Lions as a fully-fledged York City Knight after agreeing to stay with the League One promotion-seekers for the remainder of this season.

Just days after telling The Press he was enjoying his time at York after a stop-start season with injuries, the 20-year-old prop engineered his own release from Huddersfield to swap loan papers for a permanent deal.

Head coach James Ford is delighted to have him signed on and reckons it could well be a case of the player taking a step backwards now in order to go forwards in Super League in the long-run.

On the subject of Super League, the Knights will continue to have their two top-flight players in their line-up tomorrow as they seek to extend their winning run and avenge defeat at Park Lane in early May, with James Clare and Michael Channing remaining on dual-registration from Castleford.

"Micky organised himself a release from Huddersfield," explained Ford after the former Hunslet Parkside junior ended his time with the Giants eight months into a one-year full-time contract.

"I hope he goes on to Super League. Having that ambition, that drive is something all players should have.

"One of the things I look for in a player is whether they are somebody who wants to move on up to the next level, and Micky wants that.

"He's a good player but he will get better. He's got ability and more importantly he's got a fantastic attitude and that great character you look for."

Learmonth, unable to break into the first-team frame at the John Smith's Stadium, admitted earlier this week that he wanted to put himself in the shop window for 2016 - as well as help the Knights to promotion.

He made his return from injury in last week's big win at Hemel, having damaged ankle ligaments the last time York met tomorrow's visitors, Swinton, just two games into his initial loan.

Ford added: "He's my kind of player. He's tough, aggressive and athletic, and his best years are in front of him.

"He's got pedigree. He's very coach-able and I feel we can take Micky forward and help him improve, which in turn will help the club to move forward.

"It's another good addition - we're increasingly becoming a good, young, talented squad."

Clare and Channing, meanwhile, have been ever-presents for York throughout June after arriving together ahead of the win over the then leaders Rochdale, scoring four tries between them in three outings.

However, utility back Jordan Tansey's switch from Castleford to Wakefield yesterday means the pair have one fewer person between them and a first-team spot at Wheldon Road, and how long they stay available for Ford remains to be seen.

Asked if Tansey's departure may have a knock-on effect, Ford said: "We're taking it week by week.

"They're both enjoying it with us and they've fitted in well - the players enjoy having them around as much as the coaching staff do.

"I'm aware both would rather be playing for Cas in Super League, and it increases their chances of doing that if there are fewer players competing. It also means if they continue to play well for us, it puts them in good stead,

"With the way they conduct themselves and with their performances, I'm very happy to have them representing York.

"If they get recalled, we've got good players waiting for their chance to come back into the team."

Tansey, who played for York in 2012 to varying degrees of success, has struggled to nail down a berth at Cas in recent months and has signed an 18-month deal with their arch-rivals.

The Wildcats have made several signings this week in a bid to climb off the foot of the Super League table, including New Zealand-born Samoa hooker Michael Sio, St Helens' Wales international forward Anthony Walker, and Kiwi full-back Kevin Locke, who left Salford claiming the Red Devils owed him money, a claim refuted by owner Marwan Koukash.