SUPER League veteran Graeme Horne will not be the only "new" face in York City Knights' 17 on Sunday.

As revealed by The Press, the 32-year-old has arrived at York on dual-reg from Championship leaders Hull KR looking to build match fitness after nearly three months out.

It has now been confirmed he will start at loose-forward against Hemel Stags at Bootham Crescent as James Ford's team look to consolidate fourth place in League One.

But also in the ranks this weekend is pack favourite Ryan Mallinder, who will make his long-awaited return to action after his 14-month absence.

Mallinder's career had been in the balance after he suffered an horrific leg break away to Newcastle in May 2016 but, as revealed by The Press last month, he signed back on at York after successful rehab. He is now ready to make his second debut for the club.

Said Ford: "I'm really pleased for Ryan. He's worked really hard in rehab and has shown toughness and grit to get back to this level.

"It will be a real important re-signing for us coming into the Super 8s.

"He's a good leader and a bloke who will never give in - the kind of character you want.

"It will be good to see where he's at and he will get better for the game."

Horne, meanwhile, is a natural - and high-quality - stand-in for the influential Tim Spears, who remains sidelined by injury.

Ford explained: "Tim's coming back from injury. We know how important he is to the club, with his experience, grit and leadership.

"When Hull KR offered us a player of a similar style, we felt it was important to have that leadership and experience in the group against a Hemel side who will give us a tough game.

"They're coming here in good spirits and there are some familiar names in their squad, some good players.

"It's a timely boost too because we have a few tired people on the back of the Toronto trip."

Will Jubb also stays on dual-reg, taking him up to eight York appearances this term, which makes him eligible to come and go throughout the Super 8s.

Ford said: "Getting to the eight-game mark is a real positive. He's got great distribution from dummy-half, he's got better as the season's gone on, and he's a hooker we can rely on to play big minutes if needed."

On-loan Castleford centre Tuoyo Egodo is back from a hamstring pull to make his Bootham Crescent bow, James Haynes rested, prop Adam Robinson is also fit again and hooker Andy Ellis faces a late test. Kieran Moran starts his two-game ban.

Among the Hemel ranks are one-time York players Corey Hanson and veteran Mark Barlow.

Knights (probable): Robson, Foggin-Johnston, Hey, Egodo, Morrison, Harris, C Robinson, A Robinson, Jubb, Siddons, Batchelor, E Smith, Horne. Subs: from P Smith, Dixon, Thompson, Mallinder, B Tyson-Wilson, Ellis.

Hemel: from Barlow, Burns, Casey, Crowther, Decaro, Elliott, Fairhurst, Forde, Fumhanda, Hanson, Hawskworth, James, Jowett, Lawton, Lee, Thornton, Whitehead, A Williams, R Williams.