JAMES HAYNES is ready to make his seasonal bow for York City Knights tomorrow – but player-boss Chris Thorman says it would be difficult to displace Tom Bush from the full-back spot.

The fight for the number one shirt took another twist on Thursday when Ben Hellewell, who has impressed when starting both games to date, went off concussed, with Bush switching from the wing to fill the void.

The 22-year-old proceeded to give a tip-top show, capped by a try.

Haynes, meanwhile, ended last season as first-choice full-back and after injury in pre-season is set to feature in the Northern Rail Cup game against Gateshead, when victory would put the Knights on the verge of reaching the knockout rounds.

Hellewell, the dual-registered Warrington starlet, is almost certain to sit this one out, alongside the crocked Waine Pryce, but Thorman, who is set to make several unforced changes too, still faces a tough call in deciding who plays at the back.

“Tom Bush was brilliant (on Thursday). He showed his class,” said the player-coach, who was again announcing his team late.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Tom. He does everything he’s asked. He wants to play full-back but he knows we’ve got some good full-backs. But he sent out a message he has to be in the team.

“James Haynes is also back in contention. It’s a headache, but it’s one I’d rather have than not have.”

Thorman is contemplating leaving himself out to rest a sternum injury, with Brett Turner and Lee Williams vying for his half-back role.

Props Adam Howard and Alex Benson are likely to come in – with fans anticipating a mouthwatering collision between raw talented man mountains Howard, the ‘Dreadlocked Destroyer’, and Brett Waller, the ‘Wrecking Ball’ who left York for the Tynesiders this winter.

Former New Earswick amateur Joe Hemmings and hooker John Gay also come into the equation.

Gateshead have begun the Northern Rail Cup with two defeats to continue a winless run stretching back 23 matches, or 45 against professional opposition.

But they have a stronger side on paper this year and Thorman warned his men not to take it easy. “We’re not expecting Gateshead to turn up and turn over,” said the Geordie.

“This is a must-win game. We want three wins from three. We can’t rest on our laurels. It’s going to have to be a tough effort. Playing Sunday, Thursday, Sunday is hard but we have to do it.”

Meanwhile, Pryce suffered a quad injury – not a turned ankle as first thought – when scoring Thursday’s opener, and will have a scan.

Asked of Pryce’s bravery in limping 25 yards to finish off the try, and whether he should have stopped running thereby doing less damage to the muscle, Thorman said: “Brave? He’s a rugby league player.

“I would’ve been stewing if he hadn’t finished it, and he’s a winger and loves scoring. He did the right thing.”