YORK City Knights academy kick off their reserves division one campaign tomorrow wanting to continue their year-on-year progression.

New academy coach Dan Beardshaw takes charge for his first competitive game as the young Knights face Doncaster at Doncaster Toll Bar ARLC (ko 2.30pm).

They will field a development side this weekend as the first team have named a 23-man squad for their Easter double header. One of them, Jordan Ross, though, might get a reserves run-out as he returns from his broken cheekbone. Former Hull KR forward Dean Andrews continues his trial while another trialist, Matt Thompson, a Hull University player, and former Hull KR academy prop Mark Ward are also set to play.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “It’s the fourth year we’ve run a reserve grade side and we’ve probably had a stronger squad each year.”

Knights reserves: Fairclough, Gardner, Joe Stearman, Stancliffe, Blaney, Caddie, Speck, Watling, J Hodgson, Williams, Rice, Endersby, Ward, Jack Stearman, Andrews, Walton, Thompson, Lineham, Ross.