SPECULATION is mounting that former double Player of the Year Sam Scott is on his way back to York City Knights.

Scott, who won the Championship title with Sheffield in 2012 before starring for York in the 2013 season, was back at the Eagles this year and helped them into the final of the Championship Shield.

However, he is among eight players to have been released from the Steel City club, with an Eagles press release saying he "will be heading to a League One outfit".

Another former Knights second-row, Duane Straugheir, is another, with Sheffield reporting he is likewise destined for League One. But he appears less likely of the two to arrive at Bootham Crescent.

The Eagles club statement said: "Duane Straugheir, who has been with the club since 2012, was one of the Eagles' longest serving squad members and received an offer from a League One side. Sam Scott will also be heading to a League One outfit."

Knights chairman Jon Flatman refused to confirm or deny the rumours around Scott, simply saying: "Recruitment is an ongoing process and we're always interested in bringing quality players to York.

"We're in discussions with agents on a regular basis and are always looking to improve our squad."

Scott, 27, after coming through Wakefield's academy, was in the Sheffield squad that reached back-to-back Championship Grand Finals in 2011 and 2012, having a try disallowed in the latter as the Eagles beat Featherstone to take the title.

He joined York in 2013 and, while Gary Thornton's men were relegated to League One, Scott picked up both the Players' Player of the Year and The Press Player of the Year awards.

He also stayed in the Championship, signing for Batley, where he was a regular for two years before enduing an injury-hit season in 2016.

He returned to Sheffield for 2017 and played 31 times, scoring four tries.