NEW boy Brett Turner will get first dabs at York City Knights' full-back berth against Hull FC on Sunday – after "blasting away Jonny Presley for pace" and gobsmacking head coach James Ford.

Turner rejoined the Knights in the off-season from leading amateurs West Hull to have another crack at the professional game following a previous Huntington Stadium stint in 2012, which brought 14 appearances for Chris Thorman's Championship strugglers.

He was used at half-back or hooker that year but has returned as a full-back after starring in that role in the National Conference League premier division – notching 21 tries in his last 24 appearances – and Ford has been hugely impressed by what he has seen since.

Ford said: "There aren't many people at all levels of rugby league who are quicker than Jonny Presley over 20 metres – but Brett blasted him away. I was gobsmacked.

"Jonny is one of the quickest players I have played with over 20 metres – in Super League, Championship or League One – and I was blown away by Brett's pace over short distances.

"But it's not just that. He's certainly moved on two or three levels since he was at the club last time and he's more mature.

"His skill and pace are outstanding and I'm looking forward to seeing how he challenges Hull on the edges.

"There are areas he needs to fix up at full-back but we're working on those. He's come from a good amateur team but still an amateur team. Now he's in the right environment to improve."

With captain James Haynes on the long-term injury list after his knee reconstruction and Ben Dent laid low for three months by a head injury, Turner is set to battle with fellow newcomer Jordan Grayston for the number one shirt come the season opener in February.

And he has seemingly won the first round of that fight, having been pencilled in to start the Knights' long-awaited opening Bootham Crescent friendly against Super League side Hull, with Grayston on the bench.

Turner, now 27, had been in Hull's academy as a youngster, prior to a brief spell with Doncaster in his first flirtation in the professional arena.

As for his chances of finally becoming a fixture in the professional game so late in his career, Ford said: "People mature at different rates, and Brett's maybe a player who comes through at a later stage, but his qualities are very good.

"He was playing hooker and half-back last time he was here and he showed glimpses of his ability. It's a different environment now and Brett's relishing that.

"He has been absolutely outstanding in training thus far. He's worked really hard on the fitness elements of training and impressed everyone with the things he's been producing in the skill and simulation stuff.

"I'm looking forward to seeing if he can reproduce in a match, against an outfit like Hull FC, anything like the standards he's produced in training.

"He's come to the club to fight for a (full-back) place against James Haynes, Ben Dent and Jordan Grayston.

"He's a very confident young man and he's certainly been backing that confidence up with his performances on the training field. It'll be good to see if he can do likewise against a team like Hull."