JAMES HAYNES has put his successful return to action down to two things - Ben Dent's form in his full-back berth and "help from Ollie".

York City Knights' skipper missed 12 games after old problems with his back resurfaced, during which time head coach James Ford feared his season might be over.

But since then, the 26-year-old played 60 minutes of the win over Gloucestershire All Golds - being named the sponsors' man of the match - and all 80 of Sunday's notable 40-8 revenge victory over play-off rivals Newcastle.

On both occasions, the number one took his full-back spot from Dent, who had filled it for a dozen games during which time he amassed over 100 points to become one of League One's top points scorers. Dent has since reverted to the wing.

Asked how he had managed to rediscover form so quickly, Haynes said: "James Ford and the coaching staff put me through it over the previous few weeks and I've tried to keep involved and get my hands on the ball so I mentally stayed up to speed and pretty fresh.

"A lad from Huddersfield Giants - Ollie - has really looked after me as well. He's been outstanding.

"The toughest thing has been my lungs. I was glad to come off against Gloucestershire and against Newcastle I was glad to stay out there even though I was blowing. Hopefully the full 80 will do me good.

"I just wanted to pick up where I left off before the injury.

"Ben Dent has obviously played really well and James Ford said to me, 'Don't think you can just come back in - you've got to play well.' I've taken that on board, really.

"Ben has been really good. He has a lot of ability. Sometimes it's a confidence thing with Ben but he really has played well at full-back and I have to keep me on my toes."

"Ollie" is Ollie Waite, a former York St John University student now working as the Giants' soft tissue physiotherapist.

Haynes added: "James Ford had a word with Chris Thorman (former Knights boss now on the Huddersfield coaching staff) and he put me in touch with him, and he's just been outstanding, helping me and Jess (the Knights physio)."

Newcastle had previously beaten the Knights twice this season but Haynes said of Sunday's encounter: "I thought we were very dominant.

"Our middle boys were outstanding - they played with intensity and made it easy for us backs really.

"Against a team like Newcastle, you have to win that middle battle because they're a big side, and doing that set us in good stead from the start.

"We want to work hard for each other and the back five took it upon ourselves to help the forwards out. We knew it would a tough battle for them.

"Michael Channing was very good on the edges and Nev (Morrison) and Ben Dent (on the wings) carried the ball really well. And Greg (Minikin) - you pass the ball to Greg and he does his thing."

Next up for the Knights, who lie fourth, is a trip to bottom club South Wales Scorpions - the first of five games against teams in the bottom half of the table, potentially to be pierced by a rearranged game against third-placed North Wales. Maximum points from those five games could cement their place in the promotion play-offs.

But Haynes warned: "We won't taken anyone lightly.

"We knew we had some games coming up against development teams and if we got a good win against Newcastle we could go on a bit of a run and challenge for that top spot.

"But we have to work hard for it and we want to push on going into the play-offs.

"I'm sure James Ford will change the team around a little to keep people fresh and keep wanting that shirt.

"We've got a big squad and everybody knows they have to perform to stay in the team."