YORK City Knights loanee Nathan Massey has been tipped to have a fine future in Super League after signing a full-time deal with Castleford Tigers.

The Knights remain keen to bring the 19-year-old, back to Huntington Stadium next season should the opportunity arise, but the teenage prop could be set for a bigger chance in the Tigers’ first team after impressing coaching staff at The Jungle enough to upgrade his contract.

Massey, the Tigers academy player of the year in 2007, was already signed on at Cas for the 2009 season but he has now been handed a new deal and a full-time contract.

He has so far played one Super League game, against Bradford earlier this season, but a Cas spokesman intimated more chances were afoot next term.

He said: “Nathan’s had the opportunity to play some first-grade football at a higher standard than reserve grade which the Tigers feel can only benefit him for next season.”

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said Massey had impressed in his four games for York after joining on loan at the beginning of August, having had a similar spell at Featherstone. He is to stay at York throughout the play-offs.

“He’s done really well for us,” said Wilson. “We would be happy to talk to Cas about taking him on loan again but they might think he is ready to play Super League football, especially now there is no relegation.

“They might want to give him some games. He’s definitely a Super League player of the future judging by the way he’s played for us.

“If he is available, we would certainly be keen on taking him on a new loan deal.”