YORK City Knights are far from panicking about the need to recruit a proven half-back even though possible moves for Gareth Moore or Jamie Rooney are now on ice.

As it stands, with only ten days to go before pre-season starts, the only recognised half-backs on the books are player-coach Chris Thorman and the new signing from Hull’s academy, 20-year-old Lee Williams. It also now looks certain that out-of-contract scrum-half Jonny Presley will be leaving for Australia.

The Knights have been tracking Moore’s situation at Wakefield for some time with a view to bringing him back to York, for whom he played eight games on loan from Leeds in 2009, scoring six tries.

But The Press understands the 22-year-old, who has another year of his contract to run, wants to fight for his place at the Wildcats under new head coach Richard Agar. As such, any switch, either permanent or on loan, is unlikely to happen until the new season starts and only then if he is out of the first-team frame.

The club have also now confirmed rumours they had spoken to former Wakefield half-back Jamie Rooney, a free agent after his departure from Barrow, but it seems the two parties are far apart when it comes to agreeing terms.

Rooney, 31, is also being courted by other clubs in the Championships, among them Doncaster, while an offer is on the table from a French club.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said that with more than three months before the 2012 season starts they were not rushing into anything, even though there is little back-up in the pivots. Full-backs James Haynes and Tom Bush have filled gaps there before but not for any length of time.

“We’re not worried at all,” he said. “There’s plenty of time and, even if it gets into the friendlies, we can look after that. We might find then that the lads we’ve got are more than capable anyway. The only worry at present would be if we pick up injuries but we’ve got time to see who becomes available.”

As for Rooney, he said: “We’ve had talks with his agent but at this stage it’s nothing more than discussions.

“We’ve been made aware there’s some other interest and an offer from France. We have not made him an offer but we have not ruled it out.

“As with any player, we need good value for money and that’s what we’re looking for.”

Regarding Moore, Wilson said: “We’re aware of the situation. I hope he does well enough and plays in Super League but either way the door may be open here.”