YORK City Knights have quickly responded to their devastating defeat at Doncaster by boosting their back line – and there is also good news on the injury front.

The Knights are set to sign 21-year-old winger Dennis Tuffour on a dual registration contract with Super League club Hull, and, should the deal go through in time, he would likely play some part in the Easter double-header this coming weekend.

There is also now a chance that both Brett Waller and Chris Thorman could feature this weekend – dispelling fears of long lay-offs for both.

In-form prop Waller was stretchered off after an hour of Sunday’s 40-24 loss at Doncaster with a suspected broken ankle. However, tests have shown there is no break and it is thought he dislocated the joint, with the bone popping itself back in.

There might also be ligament damage so more will be known when he sees the physio tonight, but the player was hopeful he would be fit for the home match against Gateshead on Good Friday.

Player-coach Thorman suffered a small tear on a quad muscle but he too is hopeful of making a swift recovery, if not for Friday, then for Bank Holiday Monday’s trip to highly-fancied Blackpool.

It is also hoped Jordan Ross (concussion), Richard Blakeway (head cut), Joe McLocklan (knee) and Steve Lewis (ribs) will be okay to play.

Tuffour’s arrival provides more competition for places in the back line. He caught the eye with two tries at Huntington Stadium last month when Hull brought a young side for an academy friendly.

He is yet to make his first-team debut for the Black and Whites but is part of their full-time first-team squad and will continue to train daily with his parent club while joining in sessions with the Knights at the back end of the week.

Moving in the opposite direction, meanwhile, is teenager Joe Dey, who is going on loan, initially for two months, to the Airlie Birds’ academy where he will continue his development in their under-18s and U20s set-up.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “Dennis has got a lot of pace and strength and gets quick play-the-balls, and is one of those players who could be a game-breaker. He will be a good acquisition for us.

“He’s not a million miles away from Hull’s first team. He’s too old for their U20s now but he can continue his progression with us. I think this move will work for both sides.”

Second-rower Dey, 17, has come through York’s scholarship. The Knights hope he can improve further with Hull’s academy under Steve Crooks and Mel Harman, who both coached the youngster during his time with the Yorkshire U14s to U16s squads.

Wilson said: “He’s done really well but it’s a bit different playing open age reserve-team rugby when he’s only 17. He will be better suited for now playing at his own age group.

“The coaching there is first class. He will still be coming to train with us on Tuesdays. He’s contracted to us for next season so he’s in our long-term plans.”

• Former Knights coach Richard Agar has been linked with the England coaching role.

Agar, now boss of Hull, has reportedly been interviewed for the job, as have former Wigan coach Denis Betts, Bradford boss Steve McNamara and Harlequins chief Brian McDermott, the brother of former York player and now York Lokos ARLC coach Paul McDermott.

An announcement is due to be made before England play France on June 12.