YORK City Knights' first team will have an altered look next season.

The Press can confirm that half a dozen players are to definitely leave the club, with a few more possibly joining them out of the exit door as the end-of-season transfer merry-go-round begins to turn.

Probably the most notable departures are that of second-row Jason Golden and full-back Matt Blaymire, who have signed for Super League club Wakefield in moves that have been rumoured for some time.

Additionally, four players - Neil Law, David Bates, Jamie Bovill and Paul Clarke - have been released.

However, two more have joined those on the retained list, with centre Chris Spurr, who has impressed after returning from his 17-month injury nightmare, and winger Lee Lingard both signing new one-year deals.

Talks are continuing with a number of other first-teamers about contracts for next year, while decisions are pending on several others.

Leeds Rhinos loanee Golden, 20, a Press Player of the Year contender, has been a star performer in National League One this term, despite York's relegation.

The same can be said of 24-year-old Blaymire, who started his career at Wakefield before Steve Ferres - then the Knights chief executive and now occupier of the same management position with the Wildcats - first brought him to York back in 2003.

Wakefield have paid Leeds an undisclosed fee for Golden, while Blaymire was a free agent, and both will move to Belle Vue no matter whether the Wildcats - who face a relegation decider against Castleford on Saturday - are playing in Super League or NL1 next year.

As for the four players released by York, it is thought former Hull KR prop Bovill wants to stay in NL1, while young winger Clarke, who has recently undergone tests after suffering regular concussion, is taking a year out of rugby league.

Centre Law, 31, and prop Bates, 25, are set to seek new clubs.

The retention of 25-year-old Spurr and 22-year-old former Sharlston amateur Lingard, who can also play at full-back, gives the Knights good options out wide.

Spurr broke his left leg and dislocated the ankle while playing for England Students in December 2004 but has been increasingly effective after making his comeback at former club Batley in May this year.

Head coach Cook said: "Chris has impressed me since he came back.

"I never saw him play last year due to his injury and he had trouble at the start of this year with the plate which was inserted in his ankle. But once he got back, he's impressed and I think he will be even stronger next year after a quality pre-season.

"Lee Lingard has been very consistent and has done a lot of good things and, again, with another pre-season and a bit more coaching, we'll be expecting big things from him next year."