JAMES FORD wants exciting new boy Richard Wilkinson to continue coming up with individual brilliance – but reckons he can become an even bigger threat when combinations start to click.

York City Knights fans saw only glimpses of Wilkinson’s ability in the opening friendly against Castleford Tigers last Friday when his half-back partnership with veteran Jonny Presley only briefly flickered.

But he was used in a full-back role in Tuesday night’s training match against York Acorn ARLC – with fit-again Danny Nicklas joining Presley in the halves - and the Knights looked more cohesive with the fiery flier organising, cajoling and joining the attacking line in that amended role.

With Brett Turner at times misfiring in attack from full-back against Cas, and unavailable for Tuesday’s run due to work commitments, Wilkinson could potentially be earmarked for the number one shirt come the season’s kick-off against Hunslet Hawks.

Asked where he intended to play him come that February 21 iPro Sport Cup tie, head coach Ford said: “Richard is very talented.

“He can play full-back or half-back and will bring enthusiasm and pace to either position. What we need as well is control and I thought he showed a lot more maturity in his performance (on Tuesday).

“Richard’s here to bring individuality and brilliance to our attacking team, and as we get him combining more and get him involved in some of the stuff we did so well last year, the team will move on to another level.”

Wilkinson arrived at York from Doncaster with a reputation as a running ace with an ability to change a game on his own.

But while Ford is keen to keep that weapon in his armoury, he intimated he also wants the 22-year-old to quickly gel with his new team-mates rather than rely only on solo success.

“We’re very big at this club on playing for the team, both in possession and in defence and off the field as well.

“Richard’s responded really well to it so far and I expect him to kick on and be at the standards we require. He’s a very good player and I look forward to him reaching that next level.

“We don’t want him to lose what he’s good at but at the same time he needs to develop other areas of his game, and when he does that he will be even better.”

Ford, meanwhile, hailed Tuesday night’s session against Acorn as a huge benefit to his team.

The teams did not play a match but rather Acorn – preparing for their Challenge Cup first round tie against Sharlston on Saturday, their first game of 2016 – had 12 sets attacking the Knights, and the Knights had eight in return.

Acorn made a couple of half-breaks, most notably when running the last tackle and causing the Knights to scramble well, while the pro team, looking more fluent with the ball than they had for much of Friday night’s bow, got through the amateur side’s defences several times.

“I’m really pleased. We got out of it what we needed to,” said Ford.

“We tidied up our shape and I think we looked quite cohesive in good ball. We were under a bit of fatigue as well after Friday.

“We looked at a few other combinations and they showed up well as well.”

The Knights had been missing several players due to work commitments, including Ryan Mallinder, Turner and captain Jack Aldous.