HEAD coach James Ford reckons York City Knights fans could be in for another entertaining season in 2016 – especially given the exciting half-back options at his disposal.

As predicted by The Press, Danny Nicklas was penning a deal with the Knights this weekend following a successful trial, making permanent his return to the club for whom he played 11 times on dual-registration from Hull in 2012 and 2013.

Ford already had 2015 Coaches’ Player of the Year Jonny Presley, 2015 captain Pat Smith and exciting new recruit from Doncaster Richard Wilkinson competing for the two play-making berths.

And, with Nicklas now adding his ability to the mix, it leaves the club as well off as any in League One for strength in depth in the halves.

Ford reckoned each of the quartet had their own attributes which could be used for tactical reasons on any given game-day, but said selection would boil mainly down to who was playing the best - challenging all four to push themselves and each other.

“I planned at the start of pre-season to have Jonny Presley, Richard Wilkinson and Pat Smith competing for the two spots. The three of them give plenty of different skills that can complement each other really well.

“Danny Nicklas now comes into the equation as well. He’s trained to an outstanding level and he likes the professional approach we now have, and if he continues in the same vain he’s got a very good chance of being in the team.

“But then Richard Wilkinson got ‘trainer of the month’ last month and Jonny Presley is a player of the season and Pat Smith was captain last year.

“It comes down to who performs the best in games and who trains the best and contributes the most the club on and off the field. It’s pretty exciting.”

Nicklas, 24, left under a cloud the last time he was at York having engineered a move to Hull KR much to the annoyance of the Knights’ then boss Gary Thornton. That switch did not pay off but he went on to shine in the Championship at Doncaster in 2014 before being sidelined for a year due to a knee reconstruction. He returned to the Dons team in April this year but, after Thornton took the helm of a struggling side, he was released by the club and ended the season in the amateur game with West Hull.

Ford has been happy to give the left-footed schemer another chance and reckons his skill set adds to an exciting mix.

“That’s part of it,” he said, when asked if the different options meant he could “pick horses for courses” - naming a particular combination for particular opponents.

“Sometimes you can tweak thing tactically for different teams, and it can depend on how you want to play and the philosophy you have. But at the same time it will be a case of picking the best combination - not just the individuals but who combines the best.”

On the quartet, he said: “They’re very different. They’re all good players in their own right.

“Pat Smith is a very methodical follower of a game plan. He’s a fantastic organiser and takes the team around the field very well.

“Jonny Presley is incredibly quick and a great support player, and his decision-making at the line if really good. He was at the forefront of a lot of positive things we did last season.

“Richard Wilkinson is a very, very fast, elusive running half-back who looks to make space for himself and take people on. The potential for him is enormous if we get things right.

“Danny Nicklas is very smart and very controlled. He’s got skill and good vision, and he gets the ball in the right areas and gives the team a controlled mode of play.”

Asked about respective kicking games, Ford added: “They can all kick the ball. Some are better with a short kicking game and some are better long kickers and we will be working on all of that.”

Ford now anticipates selection headaches. “That’s what I want,” he said.

“I want it to be difficult to pick a team, and I want the players not in the team to ask why they’re not picked and how they can improve and get back in the 17.

“That’s good for the club and for the individuals and I want this situation to bring the best out of all of them.”