AUSSIE ace Kieren Moss has joined York City Knights on loan on the eve of the new Betfred League One season - to give the club a major fillip ahead of the huge opener against Bradford Bulls.

Hull KR's former Bulls star, who played for Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels down under before moving to West Yorkshire in 2016, is not named in what appears to be a depleted Knights' match-day squad this weekend, amid confusion over who is and isn't available after the virus that hit the camp this week.

But boss James Ford reckons the 24-year-old full-back/outside-back's arrival will prove a big boost in the coming weeks - and his inclusion this Sunday should probably not be ruled out either, with Ford's line-up seemingly not yet set in stone.

"We've signed Kieren Moss initially for a month," Ford confirmed, with the newcomer likely to amply fill the boots, at least temporarily, of fellow Aussie Jake Butler-Fleming following the centre's transfer to Toronto Wolfpack.

"I'm delighted to bring a player who's made some NRL appearances such is his quality.

"He's very quick and good on his feet and great at anticipating breaks. He has a track record of scoring spectacular long-range tries.

"He's not necessarily going to play this week - he's not in the initial squad - but I've got a lot of confidence in him. He will definitely bolster competition for places in the outside backs."

Explaining why Moss, who can also play half-back, is not in this weekend's provisional party, Ford added: "There are a couple of players who've had a bit of an illness. Kieren's not one of them, but he's new to our systems and structures and it will take time to get full clarity with those."

Moss helped Penrith win the New South Wales Cup down under before joining Parramatta in 2015, and then signing for then Championship club Bradford in mid-2016.

He scored 13 tries in 16 appearances for the Bulls but joined Hull KR in 2017 after the Odsal club went into liquidation. He went on to notch 12 tries in 21 games for the Robins as they won their place back in Super League last year.

Asked if there was any chance of the Aussie lining up against his former club on Sunday, Ford said: "You can never say never but he's not in the initial 17."

Ford had already said this week that he would have to leave it late before confirming his line-up following the illness in the camp.

That may explain why the team list given out by the club's media department differs to the one that had earlier been sent to the Rugby Football League.

Big new signings Graeme Horne and Sam Scott, plus Ash Robson, are sizeable omissions from the latest roster, with winger Ben Cockayne, who like packman Horne joined from Hull KR this winter, down to start in Robson's stead at full-back. Veteran Tommy Saxton is named on the wing.

Former Heworth amateur Liam is pencilled in for a daunting competitive debut at pro level, being named alongside Connor Robinson in the halves, with Brad Delaney missing.

However, that may yet depend on which dual-reg players come over from Hull KR, with half-back Matty Marsh, the Robins' Young Player of the Year in their previous season in Super League, and Scotland international centre Will Oakes named on the squad list sent to the RFL.

Said Ford: "At the minute there are a couple of players who possibly would have featured but who look like they're going to miss out.

"I'm really confident, though, in the 17 who will play. There's experience in there, there's some pace and there's physicality.

"There's also always a great attitude in this York team.

"They will go out there and give their absolute all, boosted by an enormous attendance."

Dangerman Dane Chisholm, as expected, has not passed fit for Bradford but they include stellar names such as full-back/half-back Gregg McNally, the recent recruit from Leigh, ex-Leeds star Lee Smith, highly-rated winger Ethan Ryan and former Toronto packman Steve Crossley.

Loose-forward George Milton, who had a brief dual-reg stint at York last year, is also in the ranks.

Knights (provisional): Cockayne, Mazive, Hey, Batchelor, Saxton, Jackson, C Robinson, Ronan Dixon, Jubb, Siddons, Kelly, Normington, Spears. Subs: from Ellis, A Robinson, Porter, Rory Dixon, Hawksworth.

Bradford (possible): Smith, Ryan, Gibson, Wood, Grant, Keyes, McNally, Kirk, Hallas, Crossley, Garside, Minchella, Milton. Subs: from Halafihi, Bustin, Peltier, Johnson, Pickersgill, Hodgson.