YORK City Knights have ended their dual-registration agreement with Featherstone Rovers and instead gone into partnership with Hull Kingston Rovers - immediately making use of the new deal by bringing in an award-winning forward.

The agreement with Championship side Featherstone, who also have a similar arrangement with Leeds Rhinos, began ahead of this season, not long after the Knights' future was secured by the December takeover, but to date no players arrived on dual-reg.

Knights head coach James Ford believes it makes sense to instead partner up with Hull KR - and he made quick use of the new agreement by recruiting George Milton from New Craven Park and including him in the 19-man squad for Sunday's visit of South Wales Ironmen.

Former Leeds Rhinos and England academy star Milton joined the Robins in the off-season from York's League One rivals, Doncaster, where he was named Forward of the Year last term.

Ford said of the new arrangement: "When we came to the table in terms of recruitment (after the club takeover) it was already late and we do need a really positive (dual-reg) relationship.

"Hull KR are full-time so access to their players for training on an evening is not an issue, and the coaching staff over there have been fantastic.

"It's a strong relationship and it makes sense for us to partner up. I believe they can help us grow our club."

On the axed deal with Fev, he said: "It was a difficult agreement with Featherstone as their dual-reg with Leeds impacted on our dual-reg with them.

"The communication was good and there were no grudges or anything like that, but we were effectively coming third fiddle in the process - it just wasn't the right deal for us."

Ford, meanwhile, described new boy Milton as a "modern-day loose-forward" who was similar in stature to former Knights captain Jack Aldous.

The head coach also revealed he had approached the 21-year-old in the off-season, before the player chose to go full-time with Rovers.

"He's a middle unit player with good skills, a good passing game and an offload ability," said Ford.

"He can play big minutes like Jack Aldous and is comfortable with the ball in his hands.

"He's a player I targeted last year to bring to the club. He's been training with us and I've really enjoyed working with him. Hopefully he can help us and we can help him kick on.

"We've changed a couple of things in how we're going to play and it really suits him. I'm excited to bring him on board."

Asked if he hoped Milton would be available all season, Ford said: "It's not up to me to pick Tim Sheens' (Hull KR coach) team but I like George as a player. He's a player I wanted to sign outright and the fact we've got the opportunity to use him on dual-reg is a real positive."

Notable new recruit Andy Ellis is also set to make his debut at hooker following his high-profile arrival on Thursday, while veteran winger Tommy Saxton is called up for the first time this year.

The former Hull, Featherstone and Halifax wide man, who struggled with a groin problem late last term, has missed the start of this season after surgery over the winter but is now in contention for a place on the wing or at centre.

Ford says the 33-year-old might yet have to wait another week to make his comeback, when the Knights host Rochdale in the Challenge Cup, but his inclusion in tomorrow’s match-day party was reward for his efforts in training.

Big prop Bobby Tyson-Wilson is also recalled. Pat Smith (ribs), Liam Thompson and Ben Dent drop out of the 19.

Ford said: “Tommy’s trained really well and is certainly very close.

“It might make more sense to bring him back in against Rochdale, when there are no league points at stake, but we’ll see.”

Asked if Saxton – a Challenge Cup winner with Hull 12 years ago – would be first-choice winger, Ford added: “That remains to be seen. It’s up to how Tommy plays and how the other outside-backs play.

“He’s got the ability to be first choice at any club in this competition. He had some good games for us last year, certainly when he initially came, and, when fit, we’ve got a really good player on our hands.

“He loves rugby league. It’s in his blood."

South Wales player/assistant-coach Paul Emanuelli has been named on the wing according to the Ironmen’s squad sheet, but it would be a surprise if he did not take his usual place at half-back alongside Andy Gay, a Welsh international who is back this year after playing for Mackay Cutters down under.

Knights (possible): Robson, Foggin-Johnstone, Batchelor, Morrison, Brierley, Sowerby, H Tyson-Wilson, Robinson, Ellis, Dixon, Hey, E Smith, Spears. Subs: from Carter, B Tyson-Wilson, Porter, Milton, Moran, Saxton.

Ironmen (possible): Stringer, Y Parker, Edwards, Roets, B Jones, Emanuelli, A Gay, Chris Davies, Baller, Duffy, Williams, Reece, Bateman. Subs: from Owens, M Evans, I’Anson, Vitalini, R Jones, P Gay.