THE revolving door has spun at York City Knights, with two players in and one out.

Head coach James Ford, who had said signings were afoot after losing the services of Bradford Bulls-bound dual-reg star James Clare, has brought James Morland back to the club nearly a year after he left Huntington Stadium.

Also in is Brad Hey, a young forward who arrives initially on loan from Batley Bulldogs. But leaving is Jack Pickles, with a recent lack of game time being blamed for his departure, although with the door left open for a return.

North Yorkshire youngster Morland, who turned 20 last month, came through the youth ranks at the Knights under Ford's tutelage and made his debut as an 18-year-old on the opening day of the 2014 season, forming a teenage centre pairing with current first-team star Greg Minikin.

He went on to make eight senior appearances, scoring eight tries, but those opportunities under then boss Gary Thornton dried up in the second half of the campaign and he left the club.

After a season with Harrogate RUFC playing National League Two North rugby union, Morland has decided to return and, after training a week or two with the Knights, has now signed a deal until the end of the season.

Ford has warned he starts at the bottom of the pecking order, as his team look to bolster their League One promotion bid, but is confident his former protege has the ability to make his mark.

The head coach said: "I'm really pleased to bring him back. He's got a lot of potential. He's an athletic young bloke with good skill and, if he works hard enough, he can have a really good future in the game.

"He's got to fight his way up to get a crack but he's turned up with a good work ethic and I'm looking forward to seeing him do that."

Asked if match-fitness could be an issue after a year away from the 13-a-side code, Ford revealed: "He's naturally athletic and in good condition.

"As a group, we've moved on a lot since last year and we've got to get him up to speed with what we're doing, but I'm sure he will pick it up and enjoy the work in front of him.

"It (rugby union) is a different sport and some people are more suited to it than rugby league. James is more suited to rugby league; having the ball in his hands and running with it.

"He is, to me, what rugby league players physically should be – quick and good on his feet and smart as well."

Hey, also 20, was signed by Batley boss John Kear from Castleford's academy but an injury in pre-season stalled his progress. He has made five appearances for the Bulldogs but has yet to have a run in the side and is set to stay at York until the end of the campaign.

Ford, who coached Hey in Castleford's under-16s, likened him to Knights second-row star Ed Smith and said: "I was really impressed by his character and I'm a bit surprised he's not kicked on further just yet.

"He's a back-rower with good footwork who promotes the ball well. He's my kind of player with good skill and a good understanding of the game.

"He's tough in how he plays in terms of defensive effort and work ethic. He's a slightly younger version of Ed Smith and I'm hoping we can do something long-term with him. If he works hard enough, we could have a find on our hands."

Pickles returns to amateur club Milford, having turned down a League One loan switch to Oxford a few weeks ago.

The 23-year-old forward made a memorable debut in March 2013 in a victory over Featherstone but bad luck with injuries meant he played only nine times over the next 18 months. He has played 11 times this year but not at all in the last six weeks.

Ford said: "I'm disappointed to lose Jack. He's improved out of sight from when he came to the club, despite going through tough times with injuries, and he's always fought his way back.

"He played well this year but he wants to play more regularly and asked for a release. I didn't want him to leave but at the same time I didn't want to keep someone who wasn't happy.

"We like him as a player and a person and wish him all the best. He would be welcome back."