JAMIE ELLIS has dropped out of the York City Knights squad that will host Betfred Championship play-off rivals Batley Bulldogs tomorrow night (7.45pm).

Ellis hobbled off with what appeared to be a knee injury in York's 36-10 defeat at Halifax Panthers on Monday night.

The half-back was assessed by the Knights' medical team in training this week but has missed out on a spot in James Ford's 21-man squad to take on Batley.

The loss of former Betfred Super League playmaker Ellis means that Liam Harris and Brendan O'Hagan are set to partner in the halves.

Harris was deployed at full-back against Halifax but Myles Harrison looks in line to take that role against Batley Bulldogs, with first-choice number one Matty Marsh still missing, having been stood down under precautionary medical advice after the 24-16 home defeat to Barrow Raiders earlier this month.

Replacing Ellis in the York squad is former Heworth junior outside back Brad Ward.

The Knights remain without injured centre Jacob Ogden, while Ronan Michael, who suffered a concussion against Halifax, is a surprise inclusion in the squad.

Fifth-placed York face a Batley side one place above them in the league table, with both sides level on 26 points, although the Bulldogs have a game in hand on the Knights.

Ford's side won the reverse fixture at the Fox's Biscuits Stadium 10-4 back in February and will be seeking to complete the double over the West Yorkshire club and prevent falling to a three-match losing streak.

York City Knights squad: Brown, Glover, Oakes, O'Hagan, Matongo, Jubb, Teanby, Clarkson, Pauli, Thompson, Dixon, Stock, Kirmond, Harris, Harrison, Towse, Michael, Ward, Edwards, Antrobus, Inman.