YORK City Knights will have some extra Super League knowhow in their ranks for Sunday's potentially vital home clash with Hemel Stags.

Graeme Horne, a battle-scared veteran of around 250 top-flight matches, has signed dual-registration forms with James Ford's team after being made available by partner club Hull KR.

The Championship leaders are wanting the 32-year-old loose-forward to build match fitness ahead of their bid to return to Super League via the Middle 8s, as he returns from a 10-week absence after badly breaking a thumb.

He could well remain available for next week's clash with Workington, too, as the Knights bid to not only guarantee their Super 8s spot in League One but also seal a top-four berth which would mean an extra home game in those fixtures after the competition splits.

Knights chairman Jon Flatman believes the fact such a player has been made available shows the set-up at York is highly-regarded outside of the Minster city - and believes it highlights how far the new-look club have come since the takeover in the winter.

In a further positive, meanwhile, it has been confirmed that popular trio Liam Harris, Kieran Moran and, should he play at least one of York's last two matches of the regular season, Will Jubb will all be free to come and go to the Knights throughout the Super 8s and play-offs.

Said Flatman of former Hull FC and Huddersfield star Horne: "He's a proven Super League player, a good clubman and a good person to have around the group.

"If someone had said in February that a guy who has played 250 Super League matches would now be playing in front of the York fans, you would have shook your head.

"But I think it's the measure of the quality of the environment here - the coaching, the facilities and what we're trying to achieve.

"Hull KR don't offer us players because the coaching is rubbish or we're not delivering. They send players because they feel we offer a good place for players to play."

He added: "It benefits both clubs, which is how this dual-reg partnership has worked all year.

"All the players that have come in have all fitted in really well with the group, have contributed to our success on the pitch and have also gone back and represented their parent club to a good level."

Horne will not be available on dual-reg in the Super 8s as, with only two games left, he will not have played enough times for York in the regular season.

To be eligible at all in the Super 8s, players must have made at least three appearances in competitive fixtures for their second club. However, if they have not played eight times, they can only represent one of the two clubs for the remainder of the season.

If a player plays eight times or more for the second team, though, they can represent either or both clubs thereafter.

Stand-off Harris and prop Moran have both played 11 times for York - meaning Moran qualifies despite being suspended for the next two games.

Hooker Jubb has played seven times so needs one more appearance in the next two games to be free to come and go between York and Hull KR thereafter.

Brad Clavering, York's other dual-reg player this season, has so far played twice.

Head coach Ford was hopeful Jubb would be readily available.

"The initial conversation I've had with Hull KR are that Will will be available," he explained.

"Both clubs would like him to be available for both teams - he's highly thought of at both clubs."

As regards having Harris, Moran and, probably, Jubb available to come and go at the business end of the season, he added: "That's fantastic for both clubs and shows what a positive relationship we have."

Moran, aside his ban, would have been doubtful this weekend anyway.

Ford explained: Kieran picked up a bit of an injury against Toronto.

"We've been really pleased with him. He's been getting better and seems to enjoy playing for York. We're pleased to have him. He's become quite an integral part of the group."