YORK City Knights boss James Ratcliffe has declared himself delighted with pre-season preparations so far – despite speculation about his future at Huntington Stadium.

Ratcliffe has been back at the helm this past fortnight after missing a number of sessions due to family commitments, which saw assistant coaches Mick Ramsden and Chris Thorman take charge.

His absence – coupled with the investigation into an alleged verbal confrontation after a student match at Heckmondwike Grammar School which saw Ratcliffe banned as a coach at York College – led to rumours about his position with the club. Reports elsewhere even suggested former England scrum-half Thorman was poised to take over as player-boss.

But Ratcliffe told The Press: “Hopefully everything is back to normal. My wife has been ill and obviously that comes first. There was some confusion with the players but that has been cleared up.

“Mick and Chris stepped into the breach and looked after the squad while I’ve not been there and they’ve done a really good job.

“Mick is quite experienced in what he’s done and Chris has played under and with a lot of exceptional coaches and players.

“They both bring a heck of a lot of experience and good opinions. We speak along the same lines and all three of us are happy to suggest things. It will be good.”

Only eight of the Knights’ 31-man squad were at Huntington Stadium this time last year, while 15 of them are brand new to the club.

The most recent newcomer is former Wigan back-rower Danny Hill, who has joined from amateurs East Hull, but with question marks over his fitness.

Ratcliffe said: “With anybody of Danny’s pedigree there’s going to be something there. From what I’ve seen, he’s been good.

“His attitude has been fantastic and his work ethic has been good. He’s been out of the pro game but he knows what he needs to do and he’s working hard to get there.

“They’re all working really hard – the forwards especially. They’re very keen in what they’re doing and they’re pushing each other as a group.

“It’s a refreshing squad to work with. As a squad they’re full of work ethic and are all keen to get stuck in. The forwards have been champing at the bit. It’s a matter of reining a couple of them in at the moment.”

The Knights’ first friendly – the annual Lee McTigue Memorial Match against a York Select side – is on Sunday, December 27, and training so far has been based around fitness and conditioning, with some tackle techniques and ball work.

Ratcliffe said: “Everything has been good and we’re really happy.

“It’s less than four weeks to the first friendly and we’re really looking forward to it.”

The season is set to start at the end of January, but the provisional fixture lists for the Championships are yet to be sent out.

It is thought the delay now is due to the Rugby Football League weighing up a bid for a Welsh club based in Bridgend – the former home of controversial Super League franchisee Celtic Crusaders, who look set to move to Wrexham – to be admitted into Championship One, alongside York.