JOE PORTER has returned to the York City Knights 21-man squad for Sunday's visit to promotion-chasing Featherstone Rovers (3pm).

Porter has not featured in York's last three matchday squads and his last appearance for the Knights came in the 16-14 win at Widnes Vikings over a month ago.

The forward has been partially absent due to attending his brother's wedding, head coach James Ford explained earlier this week, which the club permitted given that he returned to York in March, during the current season.

Porter's return is one of three changes made by Ford, with Jacob Ogden and Jamie Ellis also back in the fold, although the latter is not expected to play due to illness.

Dropping out are Masi Matongo, Chris Clarkson and Will Oakes, the former pair being ruled out through shoulder and concussion injuries respectively.

Fifth-placed York head to the Millennium Stadium on the back of three straight defeats to fellow top six sides Barrow Raiders, Halifax Panthers and Batley Bulldogs.

By contrast, Featherstone, who sit second in the Betfred Championship, are on a three-match winning streak and will be seeking to cut the three-point gap currently in place between themselves and leaders Leigh Centurions.

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