YORK City Knights signified their intentions to make a real promotion push by signing three packmen on transfer deadline day - headed by former Super League star Jordan Cox.

Cox, who has played more than 80 top-flight games for Hull KR and Warrington, has joined on loan for the rest of the season from Championship side Sheffield.

The 25-year-old's arrival was sandwiched by that of Hull prop Ross Osborne and, in a last-minute deal, back-rower Zeus Silk, the two teenagers also joining on loan.

They follow just a day on from the recruitment likewise until the end of the year of Hull KR's Aussie strike centre, Jake Butler-Fleming.

Boss James Ford reckons the new boys would add a lot to the already buoyant squad as they head into the Super 8s in fourth place in League One, while Cox himself says he will "do everything I can to help the Knights push for promotion".

"It's an eye-catching signing," said Ford of Cox. "He's a big human being and a quality player and he's coming to us with a bit of a point to prove.

"If we can get him up to the standards he's shown previously, we've got a really positive signing. I'm pretty sure the York supporters will take to his surging runs.

"He has bags of ability and, at only 25, he's still young for a middle.

"With over 80 Super League games under his belt, the exciting thing is he still has the potential to improve.

"As soon as we heard he could be available we moved quickly to get him on board. I'd like to than Jon (Knights owner Jon Flatman) for getting the deal over the line.”

Cox, a strapping 6ft 4in prop, rose through the ranks at Hull KR and made 64 Super League appearances for the Robins before playing 18 times in the top flight for Warrington last year. He has made nine appearances for Sheffield this term.

He revealed he made his Hull KR debut against the Knights and was now keen to represent the Minster city outfit.

Cox said: “It's a great opportunity for me to join a club with big ambition and I’ll do everything I can to help the Knights push for promotion.

“My first job is to rip in at training and gain the respect of my fellow players.”

The arrivals of props Cox and Osborne more than makes up for the loss of Samir Tahraoui.

It has been revealed that the on-loan Rochdale front-rower is unlikely to play again this year after a setback in his recovery from thumb surgery. He joined York in May but a knee injury and then this operation prevented him from making his bow.

Silk's arrival also provides extra cover in the second-row as fears grow over Ed Smith's knee injury. The skipper had a scan yesterday.

However, Ford intimated the new boys would have come in regardless.

"We've hopefully got nine games left," he explained, referring to the seven Super 8s fixtures plus a potential play-off semi-final and final.

"We don't want to run out of quality players during the really important part of the season."

Osbourne, 19, played seven times for the Knights during a near two-month loan spell in 2016, and Ford expected him to be even better now he is a year older. He is yet to break into the Airlie Birds' first team but has another year left on his deal.

"He's at a top-class club surrounded by top-class players and top-class coaches," said Ford.

"He gives us a different option and he will bolster competition for places in and around the middle. He'll bring a bit more punch certainly in contact. He carries the ball strongly and he's technically good on the floor which will give us more ruck speed.

"He's good with the ball, too, for a big fella and will add to our offload game. He's got the tools to be a very good player as he matures."

Hull boss Radford said: "This is a great opportunity for Ross to get some first-team football. He's going to York to showcase his skills and hopefully show the development he's made since his last loan spell with them.

“We are very much looking to see him perform in some crucial games for the Knights.”

Silk, 19, has been training full-time with Hull and has produced a number of eye-catching appearances for the City of Hull Academy team.

Ford said: “I’ve heard a lot of good things about Zeus, and I like what I’ve seen of him on tape.

“It was good to bring in some cover in that area and it will be good to see what Zeus can do at first-team level.”

City of Hull Academy head coach Danny Wilson, the former Knights winger, said: “Zeus is full of the things you love as a coach. He puts his hand up and he wants to do all the tough work.

“His attitude is great. If you’ve got a hard-work ethic and if you’re a tough kid, you give yourself a chance. He makes carry after carry and he plays big minutes.

“I’m sure he’ll make a good impression on the York fans.”