JAMES FORD admits that he will have to “upset” one of York City Knights' half-backs when his side visit Barrow Raiders on Monday evening (7.45pm).

The York head coach can pick from his full trio of half-backs - Brendan O’Hagan, Jamie Ellis and Liam Harris - this weekend, with Ellis now available after the hamstring injury which has kept him out for over a month.

Ellis’ last appearance came in the Knights’ 32-6 victory over Widnes Vikings, starting alongside O’Hagan in the halves, with Harris utilised as a substitute.

Ford did not rule out such a system again for the Betfred Championship trip to Barrow.

“It’s a possibility,” he said of playing all three in the same 17. “We played all three against Widnes and thankfully we had Liam on the bench when Jamie pulled his hamstring. We played the rest of the game at equal strength because of that.

“All three are really talented players. They’re half-backs but all three could play anywhere because they understand the game and they’ve all got great skill.

“Whichever one doesn’t start the game would be a fine substitute. They won’t like it though, whichever one it is won’t like it.

“I’m prepared for a few mucky lucks from one of them,” Ford laughed.

The amount of options Ford now possesses in the halves is a far cry from last year’s injury struggles in the position which saw numerous makeshift players feature there.

“It’s a different challenge (now),” said Ford. “Obviously I think the world of all three of them and I think they’re all really top players and great people and that’s why they’re here.

“Unfortunately I’m going to have to upset one of them on Monday. But that’s the position that I’m in and that’s the job. It is what it is.”

Providing an update on Ellis’ hamstring injury, the York boss reported: “Jamie Ellis took part in his first full training session on Tuesday and got through that. That’s really positive news."

Elsewhere on the injury front, winger Will Oakes may come back into the fold on Monday, having been ruled out with a groin problem since the early March visit to London Broncos.

“Will Oakes and Danny Kirmond have both got a condition called osteitis pubis which is inflammation of the pubic bone,” Ford revealed.

“It’s quite uncomfortable for them in the groin and hamstring area.

"It might sound really callous but it is just discomfort and they can play with it because I had the issue myself.

“We just need to make sure that we manage their load and stay on top of their recovery. That’s positive news for the team.”

The Knights remain without Brad Ward through concussion while injured Huddersfield Giants loanee forward Ronan Michael is targeting a return for the home match with London Broncos on June 5.