JAMES HAYNES still has a future at York City Knights if he wants one.

Haynes finally had surgery yesterday on the sciatic nerve problem that has wiped away an entire season in the 23-year-old’s career.

He had signed only a one-year deal last winter but preliminary talks about new terms for 2013 have taken place, with Knights general manager Ian Wilson keen to keep him and confident the player would be able to get back up to speed quickly, despite his long spell on the sidelines.

Wilson said: “He’s out of contract (at the end of this season) but he’s a player we would like to keep.

“We’re talking to him and his agent regarding a new deal, but with him having this operation he wants to get that sorted first.

“I hope he stays. He will consider his options I’m sure but I’d like to think he will be with us next year.

“He’s been a big miss. We haven’t had him for the full season and you can’t really afford to have players like him out for so long. He was arguably our best back last year, certainly towards the end of the season.”

The full-back-cum-threequarter suffered what appeared to be only a minor injury on the eve of the campaign but a few comebacks since then were quickly aborted and his season was written off, with experts deeming surgery necessary.The Press understands he could return to light training in six weeks if all goes to plan and gradually step it up thereafter. It is hoped he will then be ready to take part in the full pre-season programme.

Wilson said: “It might take him time to get into it but he’s got a great attitude, he’s a good trainer and he’s still young as well.

“I’m sure he will be capable of getting back to the standards he produced last year. Mick Ramsden (assistant-coach) said he was probably the best trainer all round in pre-season and it was very unfortunate he picked up this injury. Hopefully he’ll get back to those levels.”

Wilson said incoming coach Gary Thornton was also keen for Haynes to stay.

“James was one of the first names Gary wants to keep,” he said. “He rates him highly. He’s spoken to James as well. Once he gets the operation out of the way hopefully we can get something agreed for next year.”

• Warren Jowitt is no longer coach of the Knights’ Championship rivals, Dewsbury.

It was rumoured Jowitt had been sacked but an official club statement said he had stepped down, along with assistants Matt Walker and Adam Hayes.

The Rams, who avoided relegation by default last year, lie seventh in the table with six wins and nine defeats, eight points off the play-offs.

Andy Kelly, former Knights boss Paul Broadbent and Bradford assistant Francis Cummins are among names linked to the job.