PROP star Matty Nicholson is poised to hand York City Knights a timely boost after being given the all-clear to resume full training.

Nicholson, a standout player at the start of the season, has been out since Easter after needing major shoulder surgery. It was initially thought that would be his season over, but a speedy recovery is set to see him back in action for the club’s crucial Kingstone Press Championship run-in.

He will not be in contention for this weekend’s trip to Halifax or the following week’s match against Sheffield, but could return for the six-pointers against relegation rivals Swinton and Hunslet that follow.

The Knights then finish their campaign against Workington and Batley, though the Knights must also squeeze in the game against Doncaster that was postponed earlier in the year.

The 21-year-old former Leeds and Dewsbury forward, pictured right, said: “Nothing is certain yet and we’ll have to see how things go.

“Hopefully I can be back for Swinton and, if not that, then for the Hunslet game, as long as my rehab keeps going well.

“It’s always good to be told you can play again, especially when you’re watching on every week from the sidelines.

“The team are struggling a bit and it’s good to be told you can start helping them out again.”

Asked if he expects to find his form – and a place back in the first team – quickly, he said: “It all depends on how everything goes.

“Hopefully I can get back to the form I was in before my operation but it might take a couple of weeks. But it’s not about me, it’s all about the team. We all have to play well together.

“Whether I get picked is up to Gary Thornton (head coach). I will do whatever he says, whether he sticks me back in when he thinks I’m ready or whether he wants me to first play for James Ford’s under-20s.”

Nicholson has been treated by Manchester-based Leonard Funk, rated one Europe’s best shoulder specialists.

The front-rower is still in negotiations about next year, though The Press understands he has had interest from elsewhere.