YORK Knights head coach Andrew Henderson has wished Oli Pratt well at Wakefield Trinity as the sides prepare to meet in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup group stages on Sunday (3pm).

The former Heworth youngster spent the latter half of last season on loan with the Knights, scoring six tries in 11 appearances for his hometown club.

York had wished to make his move to the city permanent following the season’s conclusion, but in October, the teenager committed his future to Wakefield after being impressed with the club’s new direction and the opportunity to work under former Warrington Wolves head coach Daryl Powell and Michael Shenton.

“I think that the club’s on the up and that it’s going in the right direction,” the highly-rated centre told Wakefield after signing the new deal, which will keep him at the club until 2026.

“The three-year deal is a really good one for me personally to develop. I think that three years will really fulfil my potential here.

“I’m really excited to work with the new coaching staff as well in Daryl Powell and [assistant coach] Michael Shenton. Michael Shenton was a really good centre a few years ago and I think that I can really do well under him.”

Pratt, who has been handed the number three shirt for the 2024 season, could feature for Trinity against the Knights on Sunday, in what will undoubtedly prove a tough test for Henderson's side, buoyed by last weekend's record 114-10 rout of Newcastle Thunder.

Favourites to return to the Betfred Super League at the first time of asking, Wakefield's squad boasts the free-scoring Lachlan Walmsley and former Huddersfield Giants legend Jermaine McGillvary on the wing, Toby Boothroyd, Luke Bain and Caleb Uele in the forwards, and experienced half-back pair Luke Gale and Mason Lino, to name but a few.

And despite his disappointment at not bringing Pratt back to the Knights, Henderson hopes that his career will flourish in West Yorkshire.

“We had a look at trying to get Oli on board, and unfortunately that didn’t transpire,” Henderson told The Press. “You’re not going to win them all and you can’t get them all.

“Respect to Oli, who was honest enough to tell me why he made the choice to stay at Wakefield, and I’ve got no issue with that. 

“Good luck to him, I hope he does well. He’s a great kid and I enjoyed working with him. You never know what happens in the future, but he’s secured a longer-term future with Wakefield currently.

“I wish him all the best, though obviously not against us of course! 

“But I do hope that his career blossoms and that it progresses the way that he’s hoping it will with Wakefield.”