NEW boss James Ford says he is delighted with the make-up of his York City Knights squad as it now stands - yet insists recruitment is far from over.

Ford has stressed they still want to bolster certain areas - he has already said a half-back is high up on the wish list - and he says the club are in initial talks with a number of players.

But he added that fans should not expect any more imminent signings after a raft of recent announcements took the first-team party for 2015 up to 26.

The rookie head coach said: "I like the make-up of the squad at the minute. We're a little bit thin in a couple of areas and we're looking to strengthen still, but we won't be rushed into anything.

"We have to make sure it's the right kind of player and the right kind of person at the right price for the club.

"We've got a few on our radar but we have to make sure it's the right player with the right approach to the game."

The Press understands the Championship One promotion hopefuls are prioritising at least one more 'middle unit' man - having lost out in an audacious attempt to snaffle former Featherstone, Huddersfield and Halifax firebrand Tony Tonks - as well as another half-back, to add to Jonny Presley and Pat Smith.

Funds and finding new player sponsorship could prove pivotal, though, as it did with Tonks, who was apparently impressed with the club's set-up but instead signed for 2013 Championship champions Sheffield Eagles, almost certainly because there is considerably more money in that tier, especially with the new levels of central funding.

Ford added: "It would have been great to bring in Tony Tonks but, even though we missed out on this occasion, to compete to sign a player of that calibre shows the ambition of the club."

Meanwhile, reserve-team coach Mick Ramsden has revealed that, in addition to the first-team squad, 16 players have already signed on for the new second string outfit, with 12 of them from the local area.

The Knights wound up their reserves midway through last summer after struggling to find friendly fixture opponents, but, like a number of semi-pro clubs, they are bringing a second team back and entering it into a new-look competitive league next year.

The league is likely to be under-23s but with some overage players allowed.

Said Ford: "We're keen to create a good pathway for local athletes to come through. It's a long process to develop first-teamers - it won't happen overnight - but we want to bring local lads through.

"The majority of the U23s will be made up of lads from around York and North Yorkshire, augmented by some talent we can bring in from outside the area."


Knights 2015 squad so far

Full-backs: James Haynes, Josh Nicklin.

Wingers: Jamel Chisholm, Adam Dent, Bent Dent.

Centres: Tyler Craig, Liam Cunningham, Corey Hanson, Greg Minikin, Nev Morrison.

Half-backs: Jonny Presley, Pat Smith.

Hookers: Kriss Brining, Harry Carter, Jack Iley.

Props: Jack Aldous, Austin Bell, Jake Joynt, Jack Pickles, Colton Roche.

Second-rows: Pete Aspinall, Ryan Mallinder, Ed Smith, Josh Tonks.

Loose-forwards: Mark Applegarth, Jay Leary.