FORMER captain James Haynes is staying at York City Knights - heading a raft of back-line signings announced by the club today.

Former Sheffield winger Nev Morrison has returned to the Minster city after a year in Australia, while the homegrown Dent brothers, Ben and Adam, are remaining on the books.

Second-row-cum-centre Brad Hey likewise stays another year, while Adam Swift, who came through the Knights' youth system under current head coach James Ford, is also back after a couple of years at Featherstone Rovers.

The sextet add to the three back-line recruits previously revealed - Tommy Saxton, David Foggin-Johnston and Tommy Brierley.

Crowd favourite Haynes impressed at the back end of last season after returning to action ahead of schedule following a knee reconstruction – the last of a long line of potentially career-ending injuries since first joining the club in 2010, when he starred in the promotion-winning team.

Ford, who made the full-back his captain after taking the first-team reins two years ago, is hopeful that run of rotten luck is now behind the 27-year-old.

"James brings a lot of experience and intelligence to the team," he said.

"As we've seen over a number of years, when he's fit he's a quality player, one of the best defensive full-backs in the competition and a good leader.

"The boys have a lot of respect for him, as do the coaching staff, and I'm sure he will again help to lift standards at the club.

"He will have competition for a place but that's always been the case since I've been here and he's never shirked a challenge and always forced a way into the team."

He added: "He's had an awful run of (injury) luck but has showed immense mental toughness to overcome those setbacks, and he's training to an outstanding level this pre-season."

Morrison, after scoring a try in three appearances on loan at York in 2013, joined the club permanently in 2015 and scored 12 times in 23 outings on the wing. He also scored in last season's opening-day win at Hunslet before leaving for Australia.

Said Ford of the 26-year-old: "I kept in touch with him and when I knew he was coming back to England I wanted to speak to him. He enjoyed himself out there, playing at a pretty good level, and his try record was excellent playing in the centres.

"He was good for us - aggressive coming out of dummy-half and with a pretty good try record - and bringing him back is a boost for us.

"He's got plenty of experience now and plenty of athletic ability as well. We're a pretty young team across the board and Nev will give us leadership and a bit more physicality."

Former New Earswick All Blacks amateur Ben Dent, 25, topped York's try-scoring charts in his first full season as a first-team regular in 2014, with 20 in 23 appearances, but has been less prolific since, having interchanged his wing berth for full-back, at times due to Haynes' absence. Last season he notched four tries in 16 outings.

Said Ford: "By his own admission we didn't see the best of Ben this year. He's quick, safe under kicks and a great finisher.

"He picked up an injury last pre-season and missed some preparation and that affected his performances. But there's a really good player in Ben and if he gets through hard work this pre-season I'm sure we'll see it.

"He can play anywhere across the back line and that's a real bonus for the coaching staff."

Younger brother Adam, 23, has been a bit-part player for the last few years, but featured nine times this year on the wing, scoring three tries.

Said Ford: "Adam's played a really important role for the last few years. He's always trained to a very good level and when he's come in he's never let anybody down and was probably the man of the match against Hunslet at home last season.

"The time is right now for him to establish himself as a first choice. He's the only one who can do that but he's got the ability and attitude to do it and I'm looking forward to seeing him fight for a spot."

Hey, 22, has scored four tries in 19 appearances since arriving from Batley Bulldogs in June 2015, playing mainly at centre.

Said Ford: "He prefers it in the back row but we've had to use him at centre and he made a decent fist of it and had some really positive moments. There's still improvement in him. What excites me most is his athleticism and that he's really coachable. If he continues to work hard, he's one who could really kick on."

Swift - previously taught by Ford at Wakefield College - played under Ford for York's under-18s and reserves for a couple of years and featured in pre-season in 2015, before leaving for Featherstone when the second string had to be disbanded.

Ford said: "I always thought he had ability but it was too early for him. I watched him in Featherstone's reserves a few times and against Dewsbury he played (former Bradford and Hull centre) Jason Crookes off the field, which was a real eye-opener.

"He's a big lad for a centre and great defensively. If he remains coachable and works hard, we could see him emerge as a starting player for us."