HEAD coach James Ford is getting "pretty excited" about York City Knights' new-look back line after confirming his latest two fleet-footed recruits.

Ford says rapid young guns David Foggin-Johnston and Tommy Brierley could yet go on to make the grade at Super League level having come through the systems at Warrington and Leeds respectively only to be released after under-19s level.

Flying winger Foggin-Johnston, 20, scored 11 tries in 19 appearances for York's League One rivals, Doncaster, last season to quickly underline his potential, while Brierley, a centre or full-back, is being tipped as the "new Greg Minikin" given his playing style in the Rhinos' academy.

Both players attracted attention from the Championship, let alone League One, prior to penning one-year deals with York.

"Just watch them - these are players supporters will be excited to see," said Ford.

"They're young players with their best years in front of them. If they continue to work hard and stay focussed, they've got the potential to play at a much higher level, including Super League.

"They'll be competing for a place in what is shaping up to be a really quick, exciting back line."

On Foggin-Johnston, Ford said: "I watched Doncaster a number of times this year and 'Dee' always stood out. He scored a spectacular try against Barrow, one of the best I've seen, up there with the one Brett Turner scored for us at Rochdale.

"I'm really pleased to get him. He's not just a good player but he's also got a great attitude.

"He's come here desperate to fulfil his potential. He wants to be good in training and work on areas of his game and I'm really happy with what he's showing.

"On the field he's strong and a really quick, balanced runner and he will give us a threat out of back field, which is possibly something we lacked last season.

"If we can create him some space he's an exciting player, somebody you want to watch. He'll make the supporters stand up."

Ford likened Brierley in style to Minikin, who, after coming through the system at York, was named joint Press Player of the Year in 2015 before moving to Super League with Castleford.

"He's a big, strong, fast outside back with a knack of beating people," he said of the new recruit.

"He excites me. He'll give us more threat on the edges and more strike, whether at centre or full-back.

"He's been outstanding for Leeds Rhinos. I know a number of clubs were looking at him and we had to pull out all the stops to get him. Colton Roche and Greg Minikin have the same agent and they worked on him to get him to come here."

Asked why Leeds were releasing him, Ford said: "It's the structure of the game, like we've seen with quite a few others.

"There's nowhere for him to go at Leeds after coming out of the U19s, with people like Tom Briscoe, Ashton Golding, Ash Handley and Callum Watkins in front of him - players at the very top of the game.

"If there were reserve teams in Super League then he would be at Leeds still, but I'm not going to complain as it means we've got him.

"If we get things right and he continues to work hard enough, he could well be back at a club like Leeds in a couple of years' time."

Asked about the duo's inexperience, Ford said: "Age is a number. I'm more interested in ability and maturity. These two have got great attitudes and want to embrace the club's culture and be high-quality players.

"I work best with people like that, people who want to kick on and be the best they can be.

"These kids are desperate to improve. They've got an abundance of energy and ability.

"They won't get it right every time but they'll be pretty exciting to watch and certainly worth the entrance fee and, through the season, they'll improve and help us be a really good attacking team."