YORK City Knights, looking to strengthen across the board to get into the Super 8s reckoning in Kingstone Press League One, have boosted their back line by recruiting fleet-footed flier Nick Rawsthorne from Hull FC.

The 21-year-old, who arrives initially on a month's loan, caught the eye with Halifax at the end of last season to such an extent the Humbersiders quickly took him to the KCOM Stadium, lining him up as one for the future in the elite tier.

A former England rugby union youth international, he has not yet broken into the Super League side but played against Castleford in pre-season and has also shone for the Airlie Birds' under-23s, starring in their win over Warrington on Saturday.

The Knights, with one win from three League One outings this term, have no game this Sunday but Rawsthorne is likely to make his debut at Oxford the following weekend as the new-look team continues to evolve.

Head coach James Ford said: "Nick is a really talented player. He's really quick and has good footwork.

"Halifax wanted to keep him but he got a chance with Hull and he'll now come in here and add quality and competition to an already good back line."

Halifax-born Rawsthorne, a goal-kicking centre or full-back, started out in rugby union but switched to the 13-a-side code while in Leeds' academy system.

He joined his hometown club ahead of last season and, while he predominantly played in their reserves, he made three League One appearances on loan at South Wales before breaking into Fax's Championship side in August, scoring four tries and eight goals in seven outings and standing out as one of that division's brightest prospects.

Ford revealed he had looked to sign him last year and explained: "He was on our radar when we took Tommy (Saxton), Robbo (Adam Robinson) and Sam (Smeaton) on loan from Halifax.

"We thought we could develop him into a really outstanding centre."

Asked if the youngster was a Super League star in the making, Ford added: "I don't want to put too much pressure on him but he's certainly got a lot of quality."