MARK Applegarth has brought six players back into his York Knights preliminary squad for this Saturday's clash with Castleford Tigers at the LNER Community Stadium (3pm).
York return to action after a free weekend, giving Applegarth the chance to welcome a host of players back into training.
Six have made the cut to be back involved to take on Castleford, with the two teams sat on six points, and looking to climb up the Betfred Super League table.
Toa Mata'afa headlines the list of names coming back into the squad, after his impressive start to the season.
He has fully recovered from a dislocated elbow suffered against Wakefield Trinity in late March.
Joining Mata'afa back in the squad is Sam Wood, who dropped out for the Knights' match with St Helens following a HIA in training.
Kieran Hudson is also involved, and will be hoping to make his first appearance of the season after he suffered a setback in training - a rolled ankle.
Will Dagger is brought back in after he recovered from a calf strain, whilst King Vuniyayawa and Will Roberts are both included after recent absences.
The 20-man squad also includes Jesse Dee and Matty Foster, who both passed their head assessments after undergoing HIA protocols.
Dropping out of the squad after the 40-16 defeat to St Helens 13 days ago are Oli Field (finger) and loanees Sam Cook, Myles Harrison and Ben Littlewood.
YORK KNIGHTS TO FACE CASTLEFORD TIGERS: 1. Mata'afa, 4. Wood, 5. Galeano, 6. Hingano, 8. Martin, 9. McShane, 10. Vaughan, 12. Dee, 14. Balmforth, 15. Va'a, 16. Sangare, 17. Hudson, 21. Buchanan, 23. Bennison, 24. Dagger, 27. Foster, 31. Vuniyayawa, 37. Hunter, 39. Roberts, 46. Nofoaluma
𝟐𝟎 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 💡
Head Coach, Mark Applegarth, has confirmed his 20 Player squad for Saturday's Befred Super League match against @CTRLFC at the LNER Community Stadium (3pm KO)
🔗 Details here:… pic.twitter.com/UeVCFMRxoo— York RLFC Knights (@YorkRLFC) May 14, 2026
Ryan Carr has also named his preliminary squad to take on the Knights, with Castleford also struggling with injuries throughout the season.
Mikaele Ravalawa, Jimmy Beckett and Tom Nicholson-Watton all drop out for the Tigers.
In comes George Lawler, Jack Ashworth and George Hirst, whilst Louis Senior could pick up first minutes of the season after overcoming a long-term injury.
CASTLEFORD TIGERS TO TAKE ON YORK KNIGHTS: 3. Cini, 4. McIntosh, 6. Asi, 7. Weaver, 8. Atoni, 10. Lawler, 11. Lane, 12. Mellor, 13. Stimson, 14. Greacen, 15. Ashworth, 20. Doolan, 21. Senior, 22. Qareqare, 23. Mapapalangi, 25. Hall, 27. Robb, 31. Golding, 32. Hirst, 35. Laulu-Togaga'e, 36. Dupree
Ryan Carr has named his 21-man squad to face York 📋
Details 👇https://t.co/WUTcKnvMJB pic.twitter.com/lknD3wz5gW— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) May 14, 2026
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