YORK City Knights may have a new board of directors before the weekend, The Press has learned.

Talks between club supremo John Guildford and up to five potential new directors are thought to be at an advanced stage.

If confirmed, it should provide the Knights with a way back into the community stadium project after City of York Council said it would no longer deal with Guildford, blaming him for a breakdown in relations.

It also provides the council with a way out of the current impasse, which has put the entire project under a cloud.

The plan has always been to rebuild the Knights' soon-to-be-demolished Huntington Stadium base into a brand new arena for both them and York City, but the deadlock has currently left the rugby club homeless.

Guildford has refused to comment but he did write on social media that "some good news should be coming out of the club by the end of the week".

He may have been hinting at potential new signings - with former favourites Peter Fox and another player of "proven quality" said to be in talks - but he was more likely referring to a new-look board.

It is unclear at this stage if Guildford would be relinquishing his majority shareholding but The Press understands that, even should he stay on the board, the new directors would take full legal control of the Knights' involvement in stadium talks.

The council is thought to be aware of the new developments, with chief executive Kersten England revealing yesterday it had also been in discussions with the Rugby Football League, the sport's governing body.

She said: "The council remains committed to the success of professional rugby league in York and the use of the new community stadium for both rugby league and football.

"We have been and continue to be in contact with the RFL regarding the position with York City Knights and are seeking to find a resolution to the matter."

An RFL spokesman said earlier this month that the governing body had been keeping a watching brief but at that stage was not getting directly involved. It appears since to have taken on a role of informal mediator, talking with the council, Guildford and the new directors.

A spokesman today stressed its input remained indirect but added: "The RFL can confirm that we have been involved in talks with City of York Council and the Knights with a view to helping to facilitate a way forward for all parties."

Meanwhile, the Knights' pre-season friendly at Castleford tomorrow night has been cancelled - though the clubs are now looking into switching it to York RUFC's Clifton Park ground on Sunday.

The Tigers, who were likely to play a fringe team, have said they need to protect the Wheldon Road pitch for the start of their Super League season a week on Sunday, and the game cannot be switched to York due to the community stadium saga currently leaving the Knights homeless.

A Knights statement said: "We are saddened to announce the friendly has been cancelled.

"The club will be looking to add another friendly to the schedule.

"The Knights would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused, although we would like to reiterate this is a decision out of our hands."

A Cas statement said: "Castleford Tigers can can confirm the friendly versus York on Friday has been cancelled.

"In order to preserve the pitch for the first Super League fixture against Wakefield on Sunday, February 8 we've had no choice but to cancel this game."

Pre-purchased tickets can be refunded in the Tigers club shop or the Knights' Roland Court office (01904 767404) from tomorrow, and online orders can be refunded by phoning 01977 529265.