PAUL KING will make his competitive debut for York City Knights against Swinton Lions in the Northern Rail Cup tonight with player-coach Chris Thorman reckoning his much-anticipated appearance will be worth the wait.

Thorman has confirmed the one-time Great Britain prop has shaken off a rib injury picked up in a pre-season friendly against Hull and will play “some part” in the match – the opening game of the season at Huntington Stadium and the new boss’ first home match in charge of the Knights.

Following York’s 29-18 victory over Doncaster last weekend, a result which immediately got the “monkey” off Thorman’s back, he is keen to focus on performance as the wind up to the Championship season continues.

And King, the former Hull and Wakefield Super League stalwart, is a player the new Knights chief can’t wait to see in action.

“Paul King is definitely going to play some part,” Thorman said. “Along with Jordan Tansey, he was our biggest off-season signing. He’s had the injury x-rayed and it’s just a pain issue now. I told some of the lads that I haven’t played fully fit since I was 17 or 18.

“You are always carrying a niggle but when the adrenalin kicks in you get through it. The fans saw a bit of Paul against Hull – I think he got man of the match – and he brings a lot to the table. With his experience and his ability, he’s more like a half-back in a prop’s body.

“He likes to off-load and pass the ball and he is more than capable of mixing it with the big boys. I am excited to see him in action.”

Having been assistant coach to James Ratcliffe and Dave Woods during his first two seasons at York, Thorman acknowledged the build-up to the Doncaster clash last weekend had felt different now he is in the hot-seat himself – until he got out on the pitch.

He added: “It was more in the build-up. In the three days leading up to the game it suddenly dawned on me ‘wow, I am in charge here’. I totally accept that and you have to be accountable as a coach.

“Even when I wasn’t in this role, I played as a captain and assistant coach and you have to be accountable. I am happy with that. I think I perform better when I am under pressure. Once I get on the pitch I am focusing on what I need to do and what I can do to help the team win.”

On his aspirations to see the Knights step up on last week’s victory, Thorman added: “I am very much a performance based coach. If performances are good then results will come.

“That’s apart from the first game when it is great, even if you don’t perform as well as you should, to get that win.

“Now we have got that, you are really focusing on performances and are hyper-critical with everything around you.”

Thorman certainly isn’t underestimating Swinton, despite their 24-18 loss to Hunslet in their opening Northern Rail Cup encounter.

“They have made a couple of decent signings in the off-season and they will be keen to get their first win,” he said. “They will be well-coached and well prepared by Steve McCormack. We will need to be fired up and mentally prepared.”

For Swinton, McCormack said he is likely to use his entire squad for the game and Sunday’s trip to Barrow – meaning Andy Gorski, 18th man during the defeat against Hunslet having recovered from an Achilles problem, could make his first appearance for the Lions.

Rob Foxen, Richie Hawkyard and Alex Hurst will also come into contention.

McCormack said: “We have picked a bonus point up against Hunslet, which isn’t ideal because you always want to win, but we are looking forward to tonight now.

“It’s a tough ask going to York on a Thursday night but we are looking forward to it and it can’t come soon enough for us.”

Turnstiles open at 7pm, though ticket holders and vice-presidents can access Bar 13, via the main reception, from 5.30pm.

Tickets/vouchers issued for the original February 12 date of this rearranged match are valid.

For further information, phone the Knights office on 01904 767404.