YORK City Knights are hoping young gun Reece Rushworth can follow in his brother's footsteps after they took the 20-year-old on trial from amateurs York Acorn.

Joe Porter became a hit at Bootham Crescent after coming through a trial with the city's pro club 24 months ago, memorably scoring twice against Super League side Catalans Dragons this year before going on to be named the League One champions' Shooting Star of 2018.

He also penned an improved contract in April which keeps him at the club until 2020.

Younger brother Rushworth, also a back-rower, has likewise come through the ranks at Acorn, and Knights boss James Ford can see enough similarities between the two to warrant a pre-season try-out.

"He has very similar qualities," said Ford. "Both are very athletic, very strong and really hard-working, with good attitudes towards hard work and learning.

"Reece's approach has been the same as Joe's. He's keen to develop and get better.

"He's a promising back-row forward. He's really good in contact and shows a good desire to work hard and improve and I'm really pleased with what he's been doing so far."

On whether a deal was likely, he added: "It's the same situation as it was with Joe and (fellow Acorn product) Matt Chilton and any player in the community game. We will sign them and they will become part of our squad if we believe they will feature for our first team.

"We will not take a player away from Acorn or out of the community game to then not play them.

"If we don't sign him we will keep tabs on him as best we can. If we do sign him, we will be massively grateful to Acorn for the work they've done and for signposting him to us."

The news of Rushworth's trial came at tonight's Fans' Forum held at the club's Haxby Road training base, when the new kit for 2019, new sponsorship deal and new squad numbers were also unveiled.

Ford added: "Joe was the most improved player for us last year and had some outstanding games for us - a lot of outstanding games. There's no reason why Reece can't follow that path if he has the same approach."

Meanwhile, Ford revealed Dave Petersen, also on trial, will definitely get a run-out in the Boxing Day friendly at his former club Bradford Bulls.

He said: "He's training really well and brings a lot to the group.

"We will see how he performs against Bradford on Boxing Day.

"The initial impressions are positive but the proof in the pudding is in the eating."