HEAD coach James Ford is hopeful York City Knights will bamboozle opponents with new moves this season - even if they have to wait a bit longer to give them a first trial run.

The Knights, having had their opening friendly against Hull FC cancelled due to a waterlogged Bootham Crescent pitch, have now seen their second friendly, away to Featherstone Rovers scheduled for this evening, also fall foul of the weather.

Unless another fixture is arranged, it means the only hit-out they will get before the League One season starts will be against Castleford Tigers at Bootham Crescent a week tomorrow.

Ford nevertheless remained optimistic his side will be able to quickly turn sharp run-outs on the training paddock into profit in a game situation - and ultimately augment the attacking ploys of 2015 that made them one of the most entertaining teams across League One.

"We want to build our fluidity," said Ford of the importance of actually getting out on the pitch and into a proper game. 

"We've been preparing since November. We've looked good in training, looking crisp and organised, big, strong and fast, but we need to transfer that into a good performance on the playing pitch.

"Is everything going to go to plan straight away when we get out there? I would argue probably not, but that's why we've got friendlies, to see where we're at, where we need to improve and who combines well with who.

"We'll have to wait now until the Castleford game but we will see how we go and go from there.

"It's about the performance and building relationships and cohesion on the pitch.

"We're trying a few new things in pre-season, and a few more shapes and patterns this season. We want to have a look at these and see how they come through in a competitive environment."

All but six of the 2016 squad were due to get runs tonight, those not involved being the quintet on the treatment table - long-term crocks Austin Buchanan, Micky Learmonth, James Haynes and Ben Dent, plus trialist Jack Anderson - along with Pat Smith, who is still working away in Germany.

The latter, last year's team captain under Ford, is set to return to England before the season starts but will face a challenge to get into the side, be it at half-back or hooker.

Jonny Presley and new recruits Richard Wilkinson and Danny Nicklas are vying for play-making positions and by all accounts are looking good in training, while Kriss Brining, Harry Carter and Mike Emmett are in the running for hooking roles.

But Ford said of Smith: "Pat is working hard at his job over there, and I'm not surprised he's doing well because he's a very clever, driven young man.

"That drive will help him when he comes back and rips into training.

"He's aware there's a pecking order and he will have to work hard and be patient to get back in, but he's got the talent to do that."