JAMES FORD has hailed match-winner Jonny Presley's decision to don the York City Knights shirt again - delighted that the veteran half-back has "got the buzz back".

Presley had appeared set to hang up his boots over the winter but stayed with the Knights in an assistant-coach role, agreeing to remain on the playing books too.

Whether it will be a bit-part role remains to be seen with the club having initially turned to youth, but the 32-year-old, nicknamed Elvis, returned to the field in last weekend's Challenge Cup clash against Championship side Rochdale - and created the match-winning try in a shock fourth-round victory.

Head coach Ford praised his performance and said his on-field influence had been missed in previous games.

“He’s been really important to us in terms of his organisation and communication, and for executing the game plan," he said.

“Practice had been really fluid with Jonny in there and you could see that on the pitch.

“He’s come back in and given us a reminder of his qualities, not just his pace and footwork but his composure.”

While Presley's decision to continue playing may have marked something of a change of heart, Ford reckoned it was good for the team and the former Featherstone and Keighley player himself - saying both had realised what they were missing.

"Conversations have been ongoing about him coming back into the team at some point," explained the head coach, who had always been keen on Presley donning the boots again - the inconsistent form of the young half-backs persuading him the time had been right.

"That was always the plan but we wanted to give the young players an opportunity to show where they're at. I don't think a number of them are far away.

"Jonny's been a really good, consistent performer for us for years. His calming influence and his experience will be really important."

Asked if Presley still had the necessary enthusiasm, Ford - whose team host North Wales in League One this Sunday - said: "I wouldn't pick him if he didn't.

"We'd been talking about it for a while. He's been training and has looked fresh and sharp. The boys have enjoyed having him out there. It's gone well in practice.

"He looks like he's got the buzz back.

"If you're not 100 per cent committed, you will get found out but Jonny is committed to this club, this team and this sport."

He added: "Sometimes you don't realise what you've got until it's gone - that's probably the case for both me and Jonny.

"He's going to miss the game, the competitive element (when retired). He's still got what you need and can have a massive impact on where we finish this year.

"He had time to think about it and has maybe realised you're a long time retired.

"From our perspective, in terms of his consistency and his organisation, did we take that for granted a bit? Maybe we did.

"After he came back in, our practice seems to be running really smoothly."

Ford himself hung his boots up around his 32nd birthday - a few months younger than Presley is now.

"When I retired, physically I had gone, whereas Jonny hasn't," said Ford, who had been plagued by injuries in his last year or so as a player.

"He's in good condition, he's mentally agile and he looks physically agile.

"I'm really pleased to have him in the squad."

Meanwhile, Ford says Danny Sowerby remains very much part of the club's plans, despite being the player to make way for Presley last Sunday.

"Danny has shown positive glimpses," he said of the 19-year-old former Bradford academy player.

"He's got a bit to learn in terms of what plays to select, in decision-making and how to communicate and organise.

"But find me a 20-year-old half-back who doesn't need to learn things.

"Maybe there needs to be a rethink in how some things are coached at under-19s level in the game.

"Danny will get there. He's got a good approach, works hard and asks questions. At this stage of his development he's got a fair bit to learn, but I still believe he's an exciting prospect. It's not the end for him. He will play more games for us."