IT is now just over a month until York City Knights’ 2022 season kicks off and fans will be able to see how James Ford’s new-look side will line up.

After a disappointing ninth-placed finish in the Betfred Championship last season, York will be hoping to see a return to the play-offs next year.

They have made a number of eye-catching signings amid an off-season overhaul, but how will they line up when they face Featherstone Rovers in round one on January 31?

Here, we pick our York side to face the bookmakers’ favourites for promotion.

1. Matty Marsh

There is very little debate about the full-back selection.

A regular try-scorer thanks to his brilliant support play, Marsh rightly won the KSS Player of the Season for 2021.

2. Joe Brown

York are somewhat light in their wingers compared to last season, so numbers two and five pick themselves.

Brown is a bright young prospect at 22 with a fair amount of Championship experience thanks to his time at Bradford Bulls.

At 6ft 5in, you would fancy Brown to win plenty of high balls that come down his edge.

3. Jacob Ogden

James Ford outlined his faith in Ogden by signing him on a two-year deal from London Broncos.

Like Brown, he still has plenty of potential at 23, but has been in Broncos first-team set-up since 2017 and is an established Jamaica international.

4. Jack Logan

Likely to be battling for the other centre spot are recruits James Glover and Jack Logan. Given his experience his experience in Super League with Hull FC, we’ve opted for the latter.

5. Will Oakes

Oakes signed a permanent deal with York during the off-season after having two previous loan spells at the club from Hull KR.

The Scotland international gave a glimpse of his try-scoring ability during those brief stints and will be hoping to stand out over an entire season in 2022.

6. Liam Harris

Similarly to Oakes, Harris has already made a big impact at York during previous loan spells. Most notable was the partnership he formed with Connor Robinson as the Knights secured third place in the Championship in 2019.

After helping Halifax Panthers to the same spot last year, Harris will be eyeing up a regular half-back place as the prime running threat in the position.

7. Jamie Ellis

The last of the three players in this side to have turned previous loan switches into permanent moves is Ellis.

While he struggled to make much of an impression in his two games last season, his class is undoubted and attested to by the list of his former clubs: St Helens, Leigh, Hull FC, Castleford, Huddersfield and Hull KR.

8. Masi Matongo

Having played over 50 times for Hull FC for a number of seasons, it is a slight surprise that Matongo is not still in Super League.

That is to York’s benefit now though as they seek to maximise the Zimbabwean’s power, size and strength.

9. Will Jubb

Jubb has developed into a vital cog in the Knights side over recent seasons, featuring for the club in the League One title victory and third-placed Betfred Championship finish.

The hooker plays an organising and controlling role from dummy-half and is capable of playing big minutes.

10. Jack Teanby

Teanby has rarely missed a game for York since his move from Dewsbury ahead of 2019.

His form last year earned him a maiden international cap for Scotland during the off-season.

11. Chris Clarkson

Leading the side as captain once again is Clarkson. A tireless figure in the pack, his dedication to the cause last year was summed up by him covering at hooker and in the halves.

12. Danny Kirmond

Kirmond got stronger and stronger as the 2021 season wore on, even when jettisoned in at prop forward.

While the club’s veteran players were criticised last term, it is important that vastly experienced leaders characters like Kirmond are in the squad.

13. Jordan Thompson

Filling the boots of Tim Spears is a tough task for anyone - but one that awaits Thompson this year.

Signed from Leigh, he is a player known well to Ford having taken his spot at Castleford back in 2009.

14. Kriss Brining

After an injury-plagued 2021 season, Brining will be eager to make up for lost time next year.

His track record at York gives him the nod in our side over London Broncos recruit Sam Davis, but the pair look set to be locked in a battle of dynamic interchange hookers.

15. Pauli Pauli

By far the most eye-catching of all of York’s new signings is Pauli Pauli. A former NRL star, a Combined Nations All Stars representative and most recently from Salford Red Devils.

Ford has talked up his work-rate and character, and if he can combine those attributes with his unquestioned size and power, he will quite literally be a handful for any defence.

16. Marcus Stock

Stock was one of few stand-outs for York last season, having consistently made impacts off the bench for the Knights.

At 25, he still has room to grow as a player in his fourth season under Ford.

17. Ronan Dixon

Dixon takes the other spot as interchange prop in this season as he becomes the club’s longest-serving player this year. The ex-Wakefield man has been a regular under Ford since 2017.