YORK City Knights will have two new props in Sunday's vital clash with Workington after a quick dual-reg deal with Hull KR.

Ronan Dixon has been struck down by illness and fellow pack regular Chris Siddons is getting married, but York boss James Ford has taken middle-men Mitch Clarke and George Lawler from their Championship partner club – in addition to keeping Graeme Horne, the Robins' Super League veteran who made his Knights bow last weekend.

Influential loose-forward Tim Spears and hooker Andy Ellis also return to the 17 after injury, as does former York Acorn ARLC favourite Joe Porter, who has recovered from his broken jaw. Veteran winger Tommy Saxton is also back.

However, the Knights will be without in-form stand-off Liam Harris due to the knock he sustained during his four-try show in last week's big win over Hemel. Harry Tyson-Wilson is a natural replacement.

Elsewhere, Tuoyo Egodo is out with his hamstring strain, James Haynes returning at centre.

Clarke, Lawler and Horne will not be able to feature on dual-reg in the Super 8s having not played enough times in the regular season.

But Ford said he wanted his best available team out for this key clash which will decide if the Knights get fourth place in League One and an extra home game in the Super 8s.

Said Ford: “It's an important game, a four-point game.

“Mitch Clarke has got a lot of impact. He's similar in style to (ex-Knight) Colton Roche and carries the ball with vigour. He's played a lot in the Championship this season and has a lot of quality. He's a good inclusion.

“George is a very tenacious young man, he carries the ball with intent and has a lot of bang in his 'D'.”

On Horne, who played the full 80 in the win over Hemel, Ford said: “He was outstanding last week, not only physically but mentally as well, along with his leadership.

“I have to pick the best team available to me and he's in it.”

Former Championship Player of the Year Ellis has missed the last five games with a calf problem. Ford said: “He's an important player and I'm delighted to be able to include him again.”

On Porter, who has been sidelined for two months, he said: “He was performing really well (before breaking his jaw). He can play big minutes even though he's missed some training.

“He's a bit different and that energy he's got gives us the option to mix things up if needed.”

Ford does not expect Harris' absence to be lengthy, and said: “It shows the strength in depth we've got that we can bring a player in of Harry Tyson's calibre.”

Asked if he minded Siddons being away, he said the wedding had long been planned and joked: “He needs to get married before she changes her mind.”

Pat Smith, Nev Morrison and Bobby Tyson-Wilson are on standby. Liam Thompson and Ryan Mallinder drop out.

Seventh-placed Workington, whose draw with Keighley made them all but safe in the top eight, are facing prop trouble with veteran Phil Joseph and on-loan Joe Ryan joining the injury list but were hoping to get a new loan signing from Wigan.

Town lost Ed Chamberlain back to parent club Widnes last month but signed Warrington centre Danny Rasool on loan in his stead. Former Whitehaven prop Jake Moore and Wigan-born ex-Coventry pivot Joe Prior also arrived last month.

Full-back Tee Ritson will be a danger – he's scored five tries in two games since returning from injury.

Knights (possible): Robson, Foggin-Johnston, Hey, Haynes, Saxton, C Robinson, H Tyson-Wilson, A Robinson, Jubb, Clarke, E Smith, Batchelor, Spears. Subs: Ellis, Horne, Lawler, Porter. Standby: P Smith, Morrison, B Tyson-Wilson.

Town (possible): Ritson, Hambley, Rasool, Mossop, Fell, Forber, Doran, Szostak, Howarth, Curwen, B Phillips, Maudling, Singleton. Subs: Davies, Moore, Byrne, TBC.