YORK City Knights will head into Sunday's opening friendly of 2015 with two new forwards in the ranks - including another Minster city youngster.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the club, they have recruited Brad Nicholson - younger brother of former fan favourite Matt - from Featherstone and snapped up Elliot Bulmer, a product of Heworth ARLC who has been released by Hull KR.

Both are pencilled in to play against Hull this weekend having come through lengthy trials with the club, while Ford is also running the rule over another local talent, Jordan Potter, a record-breaking try-scorer when a junior at Heworth who has been at New Earswick this autumn after being released by Featherstone's academy.

Nicholson, 19, was a reserve at Fev last year and Bulmer an under-19s academy ace for KR.

Head coach James Ford said: "Brad is naturally very big and certainly talented and he can break lines.

"He needs to continue his education but he's in the right place to do that.

"Whether he's in the first-choice 17 remains to be seen but he's got the potential to challenge our starting players.

"I've been really happy with what he's brought to the group and he's got the athletic potential we're looking for."

Of Bulmer, 20, Ford said: "He's another middle-unit player with a lot of potential.

"He's technically very strong and he understands the game.

"It's a big step up from U19s to a first-team environment but he has a good attitude and approach and he's a good person.

"He's possibly a longer-term project than Brad but, if he continues to improve at the rate he is doing, there's no reason why he can't get first-team appearances this year."

Ford was planning to take a 24-man squad to the Keepmoat on Sunday but Jonny Presley (ribs) and Josh Tonks (hamstring) are likely to sit it out as they nurse minor complaints.