YORK City Knights have loaned in youngster Riley Dean after Morgan Smith suffered a season-ending injury.

Off-season recruit Smith joined the Knights from fellow Betfred Championship promotion chasers London Broncos ahead of the 2021 season and was set to partner Australian signing Brendan O’Hagan at half-back this year.

But, he has suffered a ruptured ACL in training and is now likely to miss the entire 2021 campaign.

Taking his place, Dean joins York on a season-long loan from Betfred Super League giants Warrington Wolves, with a two-week recall option held by his parent club.

The 19-year-old began his career at amateur club Siddal before moving to Warrington, where he captained the club’s academy team.

Dean has played twice in Super League for the Wolves, scoring one try against Salford Red Devils. 

He was also called up by Ireland for their World Cup qualifiers last year.

Knights head coach James Ford said: “Riley has shown plenty of promise as a young half at Warrington, origin academies and with England academy. He has a good skill set, a strong running game and I’m looking forwards to working with him.”

On Smith’s injury, Ford said: “It’s a really disappointing and frustrating thing to pick up a season-ending injury, especially in a training accident. Morgan has a great support network around him and, coupled with the club’s support and his drive to succeed, I’m still very confident that Morgan can fulfil his ambitions in the game. Being injured is never nice, but it’s part of being a professional athlete. Morgan has a great opportunity to demonstrate how resilient he is with how he engages with his rehab and strives to help the team succeed.”

Dean said: “I’m really excited about joining the club and buzzing to be able to get the chance to apply myself in a new environment. Hopefully, I can bring something new to the team.

“Going out on loan was something I’d been thinking about and it was more making the right move for me, and York is a great option with a good squad and coaching staff behind it.

“I’m hoping to be able to show a good version of myself and enhance the team if I’m given the opportunity to hopefully get some game time under my belt.”