CLUB chiefs have declared their delight with York City Knights' closed season transfer business - but they have not ruled out further signings before Christmas.

The 24-man party - featuring seven new faces in addition to 17 players who finished the stunning League One-winning campaign at Bootham Crescent - have been getting into the swing of pre-season over the past week, with head coach James Ford saying he is happy with how they are shaping up.

But, while no details of potential further targets have been forthcoming, both he and chairman Jon Flatman have also said recruitment "never stops" - suggesting the club are not done yet as they build a team capable of a strong assault on the Betfred Championship.

Said Ford: "We're always looking and always talking, always weighing up options, and we'll see what's around the corner.

"There are a couple of people on our radar from the amateur scene and a couple coming out of Super League.

"We're always holding conversations and exploring opportunities.

"I'm happy with the squad we've got but if the right players become available at the right price, we will look to do something."

On the face of it, the Knights - whose first fixture of pre-season will be at Bradford Bulls on Boxing Day in a renewal of their thrilling title battle - ideally need another hooker and prop to take the numbers to three and six respectively in those interchange positions.

An out-and-out playmaker might also be on the wanted list seeing as they only have Connor Robinson to fill that breach - although Ben Cockayne did a superb job when shifted to stand-off in their title-winning campaign, while Matty Marsh, who has now made his dual-reg move from Hull KR to York permanent, can likewise play full-back or half-back.

As for hookers, the Knights continue to be linked with homegrown favourite Kriss Brining following his release by Salford Red Devils, although it still looks likely the North Yorkshire-born number nine will stay in the full-time arena rather than "come home" to the Minster city.

Ford has also made no secret of his wish to persuade veteran dummy-half Andy Ellis to come out of retirement yet again before the 2019 campaign kicks off, although this too seems unlikely at present.

But, when asked if any positions were top of the priority list, Ford simply said: "We're looking for good players and good people."

When asked about Brining earlier this month, Ford had said: "Kriss is really well-thought of at York on and off the field... and if the opportunity arose for us to bring him back I would certainly explore it.

"I think everyone in the city would welcome him back with open arms.

"But Kriss has got his own ambitions and, as much as he's got a soft spot for York, he has to do what's best for him."

Meanwhile, Flatman, when asked if the club were still in the market for new blood, said: "Recruitment is '24/7, 365'.

"It never stops. We're always on the lookout for the right players at the right price."

The current 2019 squad list in full is (*denotes newcomers):

Full-backs/half-backs: Ben Cockayne, Matty Marsh;

Full-backs/wingers: Ash Robson, Matt Chilton;

Wingers: Judah Mazive, Kevin Brown*;

Centres: Brad Hey, Liam Salter*, Perry Whiteley;

Utility back: Jason Bass*;

Half-back: Connor Robinson;

Hookers: Harry Carter, Will Jubb;

Props: Graeme Horne, Jack Blagbrough*, Ross Osborne*, Ronan Dixon, Jack Teanby*;

Back-rows: Sam Scott, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Mike Kelly, Marcus Stock*;

Loose-forwards: Tim Spears, Joe Porter.