LIAM SALTER has passed fit for York City Knights and will start Sunday’s Betfred Championship clash with Halifax in the centres.

The former Hull KR star was set to sit out last week’s match at Rochdale due to a hamstring problem but in the end that match was called off anyway so he will continue his ever-present record since his off-season switch from the Super League club.

Josh Jordan-Roberts looks likely to be the one to make way out of the 17, with fellow second-row Sam Scott and skipper Tim Spears again set to make their first appearances of the season, their 2019 bows having been delayed by last week’s call-off.

JJR retains his place in the 19-man match-day squad, though, with Brad Hey dropping out.

The Knights, promoted from League One, will be looking to continue their four-match winning streak which has propelled them to third in the early standings. Halifax, who finished in the top four last season, have the same number of points, though, and come to York as favourites.

Knights boss James Ford said of Salter: “Liam has been outstanding for us thus far and I’m pleased to be able to bring him back into the squad.

“I’ve not fully decided (on the 17) yet. Josh has been very solid for us and if he plays I’m sure he will continue to improve. But Sam Scott has a wealth of experience and brings a whole heap of aggression to our performances.

“I’m sure whoever we go with will have a positive impact on our team’s performance.”

Asked about JJR’s development – the second-row is still only 20 – Ford said: “I see Josh as an outstanding prospect. He’s 20 years old and he plays well in a man’s competition. If he was playing age-group rugby he certainly would stand out.

“If his approach stays as it is and he continues striving to improve, he will kick on and be a very good player.”

Asked if the former Leeds Rhinos youngster could even make the grade in Super League in the future, Ford added: “I don’t want to put any pressure on him but if he continues with this attitude toward learning, he has a chance.”

It was put to Ford that Scott and Spears had been brought into a winning team due to their Championship knowhow.

The head coach said: “It’s a valid point. But it’s not just to do with them having played in the Championship before. It’s the quality they bring.

"They’re both exceptional leaders and we’re expecting an incredibly tough game against a very well coached side with fantastic players, and we will need every ounce of leadership we’ve got at this club to help us get through.”

Halifax could well play the same 17 that saw off Dewsbury Rams 26-0 at the Shay last week, loose-forward Ed Barber leading the scoring that day with a hat-trick.

However, they have brought in Will Maher on dual-reg from Castleford and he could bolster their front row. Half-back Ben White is also added in the 19.

Among Fax's highly-rated ranks are York-born scrum-half Ben Johnston, the former York Acorn junior who had spells at the Knights back in 2012 and 2013, and Italy international James Saltonstall, who had a lengthy loan stint with the Minster city club in 2014.

Knights (probable): Marsh, Whiteley, Bass, Salter, Mazive, Cockayne, C Robinson, Dixon, Carter, Blagbrough, Scott, Batchelor, Spears. Subs: from Brining, Horne, Teanby, Porter, Jubb, Jordan-Roberts.

Halifax (possible): Chapman-Smith; Sharp, Tyrer, Saltonstall, S Robinson; Murrell, Johnston; Fleming, Kaye, Fairbank, Larroyer, Grady, Barber. Subs: from Kavanagh, Morris, Moore, Cooper, White, Maher.