HEAD coach James Ford is delighted to have Tyler Craig's versatility back in the York City Knights ranks for 2016 - but thinks it is time the 22-year-old began specialising is a specific position.

Craig, a former Heworth ARLC junior who has come through the ranks at the Knights, is the latest player to re-sign for the club, taking the number in the party up to 25.

The squad - featuring 18 players who finished the 2015 season at York - will meet up for the first time on Saturday when they undergo fitness and strength testing prior to beginning pre-season proper on November 10.

Craig will now be among that group, and Ford foresees him going up against James Morland and Brad Hey in vying for a centre berth - with the tough task of filling the boots left by Castleford-bound Greg Minikin.

"I'm really happy Tyler has signed," said Ford. "He had options to go elsewhere but he's a York lad and a York supporter and he's happy with the direction the club is moving in. He feels he's improving, which is also key for a player with such potential.

"I think he's probably a left-centre. He's got versatility in him, which is great and which has helped him notch up quite a few appearances playing on both sides, playing on the wing and a bit in the back row.

"It's time to start specialising in a position and I see him as a centre. He's got the right frame for it. He's above 6ft, he's 94kg, he's quick, and as he matures he will get bigger and stronger.

"He's got a great skill set and an understanding of what needs to be done."

Craig made his first-team debut in 2012, being labelled a fitness freak by then assistant-boss Mick Ramsden and making three appearances in all, twice being thrown in the deep end at half-back in an injury-hit squad.

He played three times again in 2013 as he remained on the fringes but has been in the frame much more in the last two years, playing 22 times in all, including 12 at centre, bagging ten tries.

"It's a boost to the squad," said Ford of the player's re-signing. "He's got a good try-scoring record and an ability to beat defenders and read the game. As he grows and matures he can develop into a player we all know he can be."

Asked whether he saw Craig as a more regular starter next year, Ford said: "No player is guaranteed to start, which is something I've done for a reason.

"Tyler's got as good an opportunity as anybody to start games. He knows the areas I feel he needs to improve in and he's got a good approach to his game. He will be looking forward to pre-season and working hard in those areas. If he does, we will have a really exciting prospect."

Meanwhile, the Knights Foundation, the charitable community arm of the club, are to take part in the flagship Sky Try initiative, a groundbreaking new partnership between the Rugby Football League and Sky Television.

The programme in York and North Yorkshire will see more than 2,500 young people across the area benefit from coaching and festival rugby.

Knights Foundation manager Neil Gulliver said Sky Try nationally was the "biggest-ever programme of rugby league opportunities to target schools and will see more than 700,000 youngsters have fun, get active, grow in confidence and enjoy rugby league".

Sky Try also supports the development of growing links between foundations, community clubs and schools.

Gulliver said: "We are delighted to be part of Sky Try and recognise the massive difference this programme will make in schools, community clubs and to the lives of young people.

"We are proud to be selected as part of this initiative and look forward to seeing the impacts this will have in both primary and secondary schools across York and the surrounding areas."

For more information on Sky Try in York, anyone interested can phone Gulliver on 01904 767404 or email neil@ycknights.co.uk.

* PROP Jack Blagbrough, who ended the season on loan at York, has agreed a new deal at Sheffield.

The 21-year-old former Huddersfield Giants youngster played 12 times for the Knights after arriving in June.

Eagles director of rugby Mark Aston said: “He did well at York last season and gained some valuable experience which has served him well. We think he has the tools here to develop and we are delighted he has agreed to stay.”