REECE RUSHWORTH still has a potential "future in professional rugby league" - despite his return to the amateur ranks.

Rushworth has been on trial with York City Knights this winter, featuring in all four of their warm-up fixtures and capping his efforts with a try in the victory over Dewsbury Rams 11 days ago, but he has not been offered a deal and will begin the season back at community club York Acorn.

Nevertheless, Knights boss James Ford is keen to keep him in the fold believing that while he is not yet ready for the rigours of the Championship, he could yet make the grade should he develop further in the National Conference League.

"I thought Reece showed some positive signs during his trial period but he also showed he's got areas to work on," Ford explained.

"He's not played rugby league for a long period. We want to keep tabs on him. Part of that is allowing him to play regularly and be central to Acorn's progress.

"We're very happy for him to go back if we can have some kind of input on where he's striving to improve.

"He's got a future because of his attitude and his core attributes."

Rushworth is the younger brother of Knights packman Joe Porter, who made his mark at Acorn before successfully coming through a trial with the pro club two years ago and being an ever-improving regular in Ford's team since.

Ford added: "Reece and I know what he needs to do and where he needs to improve, and the more he plays, the more chance he's got to improve and become a professional player.

"We see something in him but we don't want to strip the community game of their best players if they're not going to feature regularly for us.

"We want to be a professional club that helps our community game. In turn they will help us - we know that and appreciate that."