YORK City Knights have extended the loan deal of back-rower Joe Batchelor from St Helens for the rest of the 2019 season.

The news is another boon for Knights fans, whose side sit third in the Betfred Championship after a stunning start to the season, although Saints do retain a 24-hour recall option.

Batchelor, 24, originally joined York as a relative unknown from Coventry Bears ahead of the 2017 season. He went on to be The Press and club Player of the Year that year and was instrumental in the Knights' League One title triumph last term, scoring 23 tries in 27 appearances, with his performances earning him a three-year deal with the Super League giants.

He returned to York for an initial one-month loan period in February and has since helped James Ford's team to victories over Barrow Raiders, Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions, scoring three tries in the process.

Head coach Ford - who first coached Batchelor at Wakefield College - said: "Joe is a good player with a great attitude, and I'm pleased he's staying with us for a little longer.

"He brings an awful lot of energy and positivity to our environment."