A reshuffle could be on the cards for York City Knights as player-boss Chris Thorman looks to find a solution to his ongoing problems in the halves.

Thorman is set to unleash a “monster of a man” on visitors Halifax tomorrow (3pm) in the shape of dual-registered Hull forward Laurence Pearce, but what he does with former Super League star Jordan Tansey seems to be the biggest concern among supporters.

The ex-Crusaders and Hull full-back has been a disappointment at scrum-half and calls have been growing for the 25-year-old to be given a run in his favoured number one position.

Thorman admits it has been playing on his mind as he looks to turn the Co-operative Championship form-book on its head against the 2010 champions, who are again among the favourites for the title.

“It’s a consideration,” he said when asked about moving Tansey. “It’s something we need to work on. We’ve got some excellent full-backs at the club, and Ben Hellewell has been playing really well there. We will decide after training, but we’ve got options, which is good.”

Former Doncaster and West Hull amateur scrum-half Brett Turner played only half of Thursday night’s reserves match before being withdrawn – probably with a view to featuring tomorrow.

“Brett played 40 minutes and was outstanding,” said Thorman, who gave another clue regarding a reshuffle when revealing he had spoken to dual-registered Warrington starlet Hellewell about playing in other positions.

“The more I get to know the young man, the more I like him,” he said.

“Ben’s more than willing to do what he can for the team. He gets stuck in and he’s capable of playing anywhere on the back line for us.”

Thorman will have second-row Ed Smith back after a knee injury, potentially as a straight swap for Rhys Clarke, who injured a shoulder in training.

The player-boss also says prop idol Paul King is still not ready to return, but he is hoping Pearce, now recovered from a hand injury, can make a big impact tomorrow should he make his debut.

Question marks remain over the match fitness of the giant 21-year-old forward, signed on dual-reg from Hull, but he has the size, strength and skills to make a difference on the pitch.

“Laurence is definitely going to give us some strike power,” said Thorman. “He offers a threat with the ball and people will know when he’s tackled them.”

The Knights shocked Halifax in the corresponding fixture last year in front of the Sky Television cameras but, like with last week’s game against Dewsbury, Thorman says the 2011 result will have no bearing on tomorrow’s match.

“They’ve got a new squad and a new coach (Karl Harrison), and so have we,” he said. “They came with a relaxed attitude last year and I’m not expecting them to do that this time.”

In-form pair Dane Manning and Craig Ashall return for Halifax after bans, while Sam Barlow makes his first appearance of the season after ankle surgery. Wayne Reittie is set to replace Rob Worrincy on the wing and be among four former Knights in the Fax 17, along with Anthony Thackeray and props Sean Hesketh and Luke Ambler.

Steve Tyrer (sternum) is missing, along with long-term crocks Makali Aizue, Iain Morrison and York-born Ross Divorty.

Thorman, who partnered Thackeray at half-back for a spell last year, said: “They have a big, strong, physical pack with two very good half-backs in Paul Handforth and Thacks (Thackeray) and some quick outside-backs.

“Thacks was good for us last year and it will be good to have a battle with him. He’s a great kid as well and it’ll be interesting to see how he goes there.

“But we have to worry about us. After last week we need to improve.”

Turnstiles open at 1.30pm but ticket holders can access Bar 13 from 12.30pm via main reception.

Knights: from Hellewell, Tansey, Bush, Sutton, Garside, Elliott, Ford, Thorman, Turner, Lee, Sullivan, Houston, Green, Benson, Broughton, Smith, Aldous, Pearce, Haughey.

Halifax: from Fieldhouse, White, Paterson, Heaton, Reittie, Handforth, Thackeray, Gannon, Penkywicz, Hesketh, Robinson, Manning, Ashall, Casey, Chandler, Bowman, Ambler, Barlow.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven).