9:25am Saturday 14th November 2009
By Peter Martini
YORK City Knights have admitted they need to find another centre but other than that are content with the way the 2010 squad is shaping up.
The Knights have 31 players signed up for next term, the latest two being second-row Carl Barrow and rookie half-back Jy-mel Coleman, ahead of their first proper training session tomorrow and next week’s official season launch night.
But among them are only two recognised centres in Ian Bell and Mike Mitchell and, while general manager Ian Wilson says they will not rush into any signings, he concedes they could do with more cover in the inside backs.
“Centre is probably the one position we’re really looking at,” said Wilson. “We’re looking to try Lee Waterman there and I’m sure he can do well.
“But with only Ian Bell and Mike Mitchell, that’s probably where we’re a bit short, although we’re confident they will go well.
“Mike Mitchell played well last year (before injury) and if we can get Ian Bell firing we’ve probably got the best centre in the division. If things go to plan we should be okay.”
Part of that plan might be to sit tight, with players likely to become available at some point in pre-season, or even during the Northern Rail Cup group stage at the start of the year.
Wilson said: “A lot can still happen between now and the start of the season. Players can leave clubs before the season begins so the merry-go-round probably hasn’t ended. We will keep our eyes open, but we’re happy with where we’re at.”
The Knights also appear light in experience at full-back, with Championship One Young Player of the Year finalist Danny Ratcliffe facing limited competition for his number one shirt.
But there are good options for that role in case of injury or bad form, with highly-rated BARLA Great Britain international Waterman having arrived from the club earlier this year as a full-back cum loose-forward – and with former Super League half-back Chris Thorman having previously gained a Great Britain call-up in that position.
Wilson said: “We’re just about there, but we’re not ruling anything out (as regards signings).
“If the right player becomes available at the right price and will improve the squad, then we will be interested, but we’re happy with what we’ve got.
“It’s just a matter now of getting into training and getting started. It’s nice to have 99 per cent of the squad in place before the first session.”
Tomorrow’s session will be at Leeds Rhinos’ Kirkstall complex, as will all Sunday sessions up to Christmas, with Tuesday and Thursday sessions at Huntington Stadium.
The first field session, following re-seeding of the Huntington pitch, will be this Thursday, when the club will stage their official launch night for the 2010 season.
That launch will take place in Bar 13 at the stadium. Doors will open at 2pm with all new merchandise on sale, including the new strips for 2010 – which have been modelled by player-coach Thorman and young hooker Chris Williams.
The players will be training at 6.30pm, and will go to the launch afterwards, at about 8pm, where they will be on hand to sign merchandise. The bar will be open throughout.
Knights squad for 2010: (*denotes new player) Danny Ratcliffe, Lee Waterman (full-backs); Wayne Reittie*, Tom Lineham, Tom Stancliffe, Danny Wilson* (wingers), Mike Mitchell, Ian Bell (centres), Chris Thorman*, Luke Helliwell*, Jonathan Schofield, Jy-mel Coleman (half-backs), Joe McLocklan*, Paul Stamp*, Chris Williams (hookers), Mark Applegarth, Jon Fallon*, Danny Bell*, Alex Benson*, Nathan Freer*, Brett Waller, Mark Falkingham* (props), Chris Clough, Jordan Ross, Kris Peacock, Carl Barrow, Matthew Duckworth* Luke Hardbottle* (second-rows), Richard Blakeway, Adie Hampshire*, Dan Walton (loose-forwards).
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