YORK City Knights are grooming Jonny Liddell to take on the master's role at Huntington Stadium.

The retirement of former Great Britain star Lee Jackson at the end of the Knights' National League Two-winning campaign has left coach Mick Cook with a hole to fill at dummy-half.

And while Jimmy Elston would be the natural successor, the fleet-footed 25-year-old having shared hooking duties with Jackson for the past two seasons, Cook sees locally-produced utility star Liddell as a possible number nine.

"He played his only Super League game (when he was a youngster at Leeds Rhinos) in that position and we're looking at turning him into a hooker," said Cook. "We'll give him a go there and see how he goes."

Liddell has played in a number of roles for the Knights and previously Hunslet Hawks, with full-back, back-row and stand-off among the positions filled.

But Cook has bulked up the back row with sizeable new recruits and reckons hooker could be Liddell's ideal position.

"We've got more size in the back row and you need that size at the level we'll be playing at," he said.

"Jonny is keen to have a go at it and see how he handles it. From what I've seen, he will work hard at it, give it his best shot and make the most of it."

Elston, though, will be fighting for the number nine shirt and could well be the front-runner.

The former Dewsbury player has become a firm favourite among York fans, with his lightning darts around the ruck being a potent weapon, but he often began games on the bench, being used more as an impact player.

Said Cook. "He's played a bit as an impact player but for Jimmy to survive in rugby league he needs to become a player who can start as well. We want him to have that impact from the start of games.

"We can look at it both ways. As for all players, it's down to his form and how he works in pre-season and looks to improve."

Updated: 11:23 Thursday, November 17, 2005