JAMES FORD reckons Kriss Brining could terrorise Super League defences when he makes the step up to top-flight rugby league.

Brining's move from York City Knights to Salford Red Devils was finally confirmed this week and, while York boss Ford admits he will be almost impossible to replace, he has sent him off with the highest praise, lauding the 22-year-old's attitude and upbringing and declaring a desire to see him "succeed at the highest level".

He also admitted heavily criticising the Scarborough-born hooker during his development from a teenage prospect in North Yorkshire into a full-time pro in the elite ranks - but explained why.

"He's had probably more criticism than most of the team combined, but that's because we saw so much in him," said Ford.

"He came off the interchange and won games almost at will for us, yet we felt he could always do more.

"There's still more to come and I'm excited to see what Salford can get out of him. He's potential is enormous, fuelled by his attitude.

"As he continues to improve and mature, he will impact even more - and that will be frightening.

"With the speed of the game in Super League he could be terrorising some big blokes around the middle."

A graduate of York's old scholarship, Brining, the club's youngest-ever player when making his debut in 2011 aged 17 years 148 days, has made 86 first-team appearances, notching 54 tries.

In the last two seasons he has scored 45 times in 45 games, culminating in being named the joint 2016 Press Player of the Year last week.

"He will be immensely difficult to replace," said Ford.

"His try record speaks for itself and the level of impact he had for us in so many matches with his running game and his defensive contacts was clear.

"It'll be very difficult to get a like-for-like replacement so we'll have to think about how we play as Kriss is a different kind of player to the other hookers at the club. But I'm confident we'll be able to move forward."

Brining becomes the second Knights product in the last 12 months to move to Super League, following Greg Minikin's switch to Castleford.

Ford coached both in the reserves as well as the first team, having played alongside them before hanging up his boots.

"Like with Greg, it's Kriss' approach to the game and desire to be a success that's so impressive. For young players, no matter how good they are, what matters most is their attitude and that desire to work and improve.

"I can't stress how important that internal motivation is, and credit has to go to Kriss and his parents and how they've brought him up.

"I'm really pleased for him. He's always been very eye-catching and his potential has been obvious, but he's also worked hard on small areas of his game.

"If he continues to keep his head down and work as hard, he'll kick on and we'll see him playing on TV in Super League.

"Mick Ramsden (former scholarship and reserves coach) played an enormous role in helping Kriss develop as a person and a player.

"I'm proud I've played a little part in his development, but the biggest factor has been Kriss himself, his attitude and his willingness to take feedback and keep working."

Brining's move to Salford had been on the cards for several months.

Asked if a return on loan was possible should Brining not break into Salford's first team immediately - and should the Knights overcome uncertainty and continue next year - Ford said: "I'm confident Kriss will be a success in Super League. I've had conversations with Ian Watson (Salford boss) and we both think he's very talented and I'm sure when he steps into the full-time arena he'll kick on to another level.

"I don't want to see him back. I want to see him in a Salford shirt playing at the highest level he can."