YOUNG James Morland is set to be given a chance to earn hero status at York City Knights by nailing down a place in the side – and potentially starring in the all-important promotion play-offs.

The 20-year-old has made just one appearance since returning to the club from rugby union, being substituted in the second half of the 12-man win over Oxford on August 9.

But head coach James Ford has dropped a strong hint that he may be recalled to the line-up – probably at centre – for Sunday's trip to North Wales Crusaders.

The Knights are all but sure of a top-five finish due to their points-difference advantage but need a point from their last two games – in Wrexham this weekend and at home to Barrow seven days later – to make it mathematically certain.

And Ford is hopeful the highly-rated Morland will give him a big selection headache come the knockout matches that follow – by rediscovering the kind of form in the 13-a-side game that saw him outplay Championship past master Danny Maun last year.

"He's really impressed in training and we all know he's got really good skills," said Ford. "He's very capable of kicking on and going to the next level if he works hard enough.

"It'll be good to give him an opportunity to remind me how good he is and to show the boys how much he wants it.

"He's been looking really sharp in training and his attitude has been second to none. I couldn't be more pleased with what he's doing. It's just a matter of time and persistence before he transfers it onto the pitch."

The pick of Morland's eight performances for York last year came in the home win over Hunslet, when the then 18-year-old scored one of his four tries for the club.

"He went directly up against Danny Maun at centre and played him off the park," said Ford, himself a centre before hanging up his boots at the end of last season.

"In my 16-year career playing against Danny Maun, I never did that, so for a young boy of 18 to do it was pretty remarkable. That's the standards I expect of James and I'm sure that's what he's capable of doing.

"For a bloke of that age to be that quick and strong is pretty outstanding. We just need to keep working with him."

Morland could get his chance as Tyler Craig is still struggling with a shoulder problem and with Liam Cunningham struggling to refind the form that made him a stand-out player at the start of the season.

Craig, injured in the win over London Skolars on August 16, is back in training but Sunday might come too soon for a return.

Colton Roche, who likewise suffered a shoulder injury against North Wales a fortnight ago, is definitely ruled out of this quick return match but has an outside chance of being fit to face Barrow.

Fellow prop Micky Learmonth is fit again after his minor knee problem and available for selection.

Ford, meanwhile, is putting play-off matters to one side as he eyes a quick revenge victory at the Racecourse Ground this Sunday following the agonising 30-28 defeat to the Crusaders at Elmpark Way.

His side had fought back from 28-0 down to draw level, only to then lose to a controversial late penalty.

Ford said: "We didn't perform to our standards in the first 40 minutes against North Wales last time. In the second 40 we were excellent and we want to continue from there.

"We're a good team. All the mistakes in that first half were uncharacteristic and we're looking forward to showing North Wales what we're really about."