YORK City Knights' half-back position continues to fluctuate as Jamie Ellis has gone back to his parent club - while Riley Dean returns to James Ford's side.

Young half-back Dean was recalled by parent club Warrington Wolves ahead of the Knights' Betfred Championship clash with Batley Bulldogs.

He returns to the LNER Community Stadium on a new loan deal.

The new deal for Dean provided a swift answer to the questions asked following Ellis's departure, which the Knights announced the hour before.

It is thus likely that Dean will slot back into the halves for Sunday's league game at Monks Cross against Newcastle Thunder.

Following his two-week loan spell at the Knights, the 31-year-old half-back Ellis was recalled by parent club Leigh Centurions.

He returns to the Super League outfit having played two games for the Knights.

Both of the half-back's appearances for the Knights came in losses, one a 22-20 reversal at the LNER Community Stadium to Batley Bulldogs and the other a rather more dispiriting 37-12 defeat at Whitehaven.

Dean, meanwhile, was among the interchanges for Warrington in their 40-12 defeat of Leigh at the weekend.

Knights chairman Jon Flatman commented: "First and foremost, thank you to Jamie.

"He's come in and made a real impression in two weeks. The results may not have been as we or Jamie wanted but he's been fantastic for that squad. He's clearly an experienced and classy operator.

"Big thanks to Jamie and big thanks to Derek (Beaumont, Leigh owner) and the Leigh club who gave him that opportunity.

"Riley's been with us, Riley was keen to come back and we were keen to get Riley back.

"Riley Dean has a tremendous future in the game. We are pleased to play a part in his development and we look forward to Riley Dean stepping up at the weekend and delivering a Super League performance as he did last week.

"We know Riley's getting better every game and we're really proud to have him back."