NINE new boys will be on show for York City Knights tomorrow as the class of 2016 kick off their year with their long-awaited Bootham Crescent bow.

James Ford's new-look squad meet Super League giants Hull FC in a notable pre-season fixture at their new home back in the city centre (3pm), and the head coach is poised to throw all of his fully fit recruits straight in at the deep end.

Five will have first dabs at claiming a starting berth for when the campaign kicks off on February 23 - namely full-back Brett Turner, centre Brad England, half-back Richard Wilkinson, and forwards Brett Waller and Mike Emmett - with the other four on the bench.

Asked whom he was most excited to see in action, Ford said: "All of them. They're all good players and they've all been working hard.

"They bring different qualities that complement each other really well and complement the boys we retained from last year."

The four newcomers on the bench will be Danny Nicklas, Russ Spiers, Jordan Grayston and Jack Anderson, the former York Acorn ARLC junior and Wakefield academy player who is on trial at his home-town club following his return from Australia.

Of all the new boys, only Austin Buchanan, who has had a hernia operation, will not feature.

Ford has named a 21-man squad in total, all of whom will play some part.

Players not involved include long-term crocks James Haynes, Micky Learmonth and Ben Dent, Brad Nicholson, who is on his way back from injury, Pat Smith, who has had work commitments abroad in recent weeks, and Kriss Brining, who is visiting family in the USA.

Ford says his starting line-up does not necessarily suggest the 13 that will begin the iPro Sport Cup season opener against Hunslet, especially with another two friendlies and seven weeks of pre-season between now and then.

A strong Hull side won a corresponding fixture 12 months ago 62-0, in a game switched to Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium after the Knights were rendered homeless by the community stadium saga.

Having finally got everything in place to share the football ground - and enjoy a less disrupted pre-season - Ford was hopeful his team will fair better, even though the Airlie Birds were again set to field a powerful line-up.

Said Ford: "It's an opportunity for everybody to test themselves against some outstanding players.

"People like Richard Whiting, Kirk Yeaman, Chris Green, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Danny Washbrook - strong, clever, skilful players.

"It will be a very tough test for us but we're looking forward to it, and so should the supporters."

Hull boss Lee Radford was to name his side today after a flu virus in the camp affected his plans. It is thought he will bring a number of big-name stars, possibly including notable signings from the NRL.

On the possibility of the game being off after the York floods - a pitch inspection was expected today - Ford said: "I've spoken to (Hull boss) Lee Radford about it and our concern was for the well-being of the people of the city and for the residents and businesses that have been affected by the floods.

"We both appreciate York City might be less optimistic about the game going ahead in order to look after the pitch.

"But we've been preparing to play. We've waited a long time to play this game and an even longer time to play at Bootham Crescent, and the boys are looking forward to it - a big number of people are looking forward to it, so fingers crossed."

The Knights, meanwhile, have been training over the festive period, with three hard sessions immediately before Christmas and another this week, but Ford did give his players New Year's Eve and New Year's Day off.

"The boys did tough hill sessions on Christmas Eve, for example, and have always worked really hard," said Ford.

"I've been really impressed with the commitment they've shown to one another and to the club, sacrificing what would normally be holiday time to come and work hard.

"But I have given them some time off - it's important to have time with families.

"We've still got a job to do and to continue our preparations."

Knights: Turner, Morrison, Morland, England, Craig, Presley, Wilkinson, Waller, Carter, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Emmett. Subs: from Nicklas, Spiers, Applegarth, Mallinder, Hey, A Dent, Grayston, Anderson.