YORK City Knights were today ready to pull off a massive coup by bringing Mark Applegarth back to the club.

The Press learned that the 24-year-old former Wakefield forward was set to attend Huntington Stadium tonight to put pen to paper on a new deal – turning down a more lucrative offer from Championship One rivals Dewsbury Rams in the process.

And Knights director of rugby James Ratcliffe confirmed the news, which is bound to bolster fans’ hopes ahead of the 2009 campaign.

Ratcliffe said: “He’s made his mind up and he’s 100 per cent certain that he’s coming. He’ll be back in training with us on Tuesday with a view to playing in the friendlies against Castleford (January 30) and Hull KR (February 2).”

It was believed, two-and-a-half months go, that Applegarth was gone for good after the Knights could only afford to offer reduced terms. However, The Press understands the player has since secured a new job as a fitness instructor with the NHS, so the money on offer became less important.

Ratcliffe, who kept in touch with him throughout the winter, said: “He went away and thought about it. He was more than happy with the coaching and how the club was working and we’re all happy with the deal we’ve come up with. It’s great to have a player of his calibre back with us.

“He has a great attitude. He brings a lot of good stuff to training. He’s an excellent trainer and he’s very professional, and he’s a player who will always come to the front and inspire others.”

Applegarth began his debut season at Championship One level in fine form, being a runaway winner of last year’s February Player of the Month award.

He suffered a mid-season dip but finished the term back on song, being a stand-out player as the Knights marched into the play-offs on the back of a six high-scoring wins in seven games.

Ratcliffe said: “He knows he didn’t fulfil his potential across the full season and he wants to put a few things straight. His first few games were very good but he had a poor middle of the season by his standards. However, in his last five or six games he really came to the front and we want him to start this season where he left off.”

Applegarth was deployed throughout the pack, mainly in the second-row but also as a prop, and it is in the latter position that he is expected to start 2009.

Ratcliffe explained: “We were conscious we were a bit light in the forwards and he’s happy to play at prop. He’s put some size on since he’s been away and he’s holding it well, so he should be bigger and stronger yet. He’s short on match practice but he’s a fitness instructor so keeps himself in good shape.”