Knights take fitness guard to merit selection (From York Press)

York City Knights take fitness guard to merit selection

10:29am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Knights RL By Peter Martini, peter.martini@thepress.co.uk

York City Knights James Haynes

YORK City Knights are praying Jordan Tansey shakes off a virus in time to line up for Sunday’s big kick-off – although player-boss Chris Thorman has stressed none of his big signings will be guaranteed a spot in the 17 this season even if fit and ready.

The Knights entertain Championship new-boys Swinton Lions in the Northern Rail Cup opener boosted by several front-line players declaring themselves fit.

Marquee signing Tansey remains a doubt, though, having sat out training on Tuesday due to illness, with the club hopeful he will be back for tonight’s session indoors at Burnholme College.

New head coach Thorman said the former Hull and Crusaders ace cannot expect safe passage into the team even if fit, and that he will have to earn his spot like everyone else.

This includes former Super League stars Tansey, Paul King, Waine Pryce, new team captain James Ford, and Thorman himself.

“Jordan missed training as he’s been sick but with a bit of luck he should be okay for Sunday,” said the Geordie.

“There are no givens, though. Nobody can rest on their laurels or take for granted they will be in the team. They have to be consistent and train well. Me included – I’ve said that from day one.

“Everyone has to not only play well but train well too. They have to prove to me they’re the one who deserves to be wearing the shirt come match-day.

“As a team it’s about peaking at the right time and giving consistent performances, and that applies to me as well.”

Among the players with fitness doubts are full-back James Haynes (sciatic nerve), winger Pryce (knee) and forward James Houston (hand) – injuries picked up in the last pre-season encounter against Castleford.

But they all took part in full contact training on Tuesday. Assuming they come through okay tonight, they will be in the running for Sunday.

Props King, who has had a rib injury, and Adam Sullivan, who needed ten stitches in a leg wound after the Cas game, are also pushing for places.

Tommy Haughey, though, remains absent due to family commitments.

Thorman, when asked if he was thankful to have a few front-line players back knocking on the door, reiterated he had confidence in all his squad, regardless of which players were in or out.

But privately he must be relieved to start the season in a better position than had looked the case just 48 hours previously. The fact wintry weather is being forecast until the weekend may yet cause abandonments and give the injury doubts another week of recuperation.

“We’ve got competition for places this year,” said the player-coach. “We’ve got players who are capable of coming in and making the most of opportunities, as they’ve shown in the trial games.

“I think we’re in a much better place to handle injuries than we have been.”

Injuries aside, Thorman has warned, that with 15 new players in the ranks it might take time for the new-look side to click, despite the two wins and two defeats in pre-season friendlies.

“We will have to form combinations,” he said.

“It takes time to do that and to bed in and for new players to adjust to the new team, especially when you’re part-time.

“But I’m excited about the new season and playing with these new signings and in a stronger squad. The better the players you are with, the better you play.”

• Second-row Brett Delaney, 26, has agreed a new three-year contract extension with Super League champions Leeds.

Delaney joined the Rhinos in 2010 from Gold Coast Titans and would have been out of contract at the end of 2012.

• Don’t miss The Press on Saturday for a pull-out Knights squad picture for the 2012 campaign.