YORK City Knights have beaten competition from Championship clubs to sign Doncaster star Mike Emmett for 2016 - with boss James Ford expecting the fiery forward to give the team power up the middle and "a plan B".

Traditionally the bulk of York's signings and re-signings are announced at the club's end-of-season presentation night, which will be held in plush surroundings at the Royal York Hotel on Friday.

But head coach James Ford has confirmed 28-year-old packman Emmett is among those to have put pen to paper.

However, almost certainly going the other way is Jordan Howden. The Press understands the 19-year-old has agreed terms at the Keepmoat having been offered twice as much money by the relegated Dons, who are looking to bounce straight back up to the Championship after joining York in League One.

"Mike will be with us and I'm delighted to bring him to the club," said Ford of Emmett, who it is thought was also being courted by Featherstone and Batley.

"He's attacking, competitive, tenacious - he's horrible to play against but fantastic to have in your team.

"He will increase the competitive nature in the middle of the field."

Ford has also suggested the recruitment of Emmett may counter ideas the Knights "lack grunt".

The rookie Knights chief was stung by criticism from Barrow boss Paul Crarey following the 12-man Raiders' win at Elmpark Way on the last day of the regular season. Crarey claimed York "had a lack of grunt in them" and admitted his side "probably crossed the line at times" in a bid to get at them.

Ford said: "We've got a reputation for our flamboyant style of play and - in many quarters - are respected for how we defend.

"On occasions other teams criticised a supposed lack of competitiveness within our squad. I don't for one minute think they're right but I have brought in a couple of players to give us a plan 'B' and Mike Emmett will give us that.

"He also has very high standards in training. I can't wait to start working with him."

The Press understands the bulk of next year's squad will comprise players that finished this season at York, although it is already known that Jamel Chisholm, Colton Roche, Liam Cunningham and - to be confirmed - Castleford-bound Greg Minikin are among those leaving. Jack Blagbrough also returns to Sheffield after spending the second half of the season on loan.

Howden is now joining that departure list, heading in the opposite direction to Emmett.

The teenager, who made 17 appearances on dual-registration from Castleford this year at full-back or half-back, has been released by the Super League club and snapped up by Gary Thornton - Ford's predecessor as Knights boss. Thornton took over the reins at the struggling Dons from Paul Cooke in June but could not turn their season around.

As for the money reportedly offered to Howden, likewise that offered to Roche by Featherstone, Ford said: "We've got to spend shrewdly and in my opinion we are doing.

"These two players wanted to stay at the club, with the players and set-up we've got, and I wish we could have kept them all. But every player has a value and I was not willing to go above our valuations working with the budget we've got.

"I'm replacing quality players with quality players. I'm really happy with what they (Roche and Howden) did here and I wish them all the best.

"It would not surprise me to see them back at York at some point."

Former Knights prop Austin Bell, released by York early this year, has signed for Hunslet, who have been relegated with Doncaster. The Hawks have seen fellow props James Houston retire and Mark Castle return to Doncaster.