York City Knights Head Coach James Ford has named his Preliminary Squad for Sunday’s trip to face Halifax Panthers in front of the Premier Sports cameras (5:30pm KO).
Off the back of an emphatic 74-12 victory over Workington Town in the final match of the regular season, the Knights head to Calderdale with confidence brimming ahead of a third encounter with Halifax this season.
Ford’s squad, again hit with injuries, sees key man Brendan O’Hagan and teenager Brad Ward drop out with minor knocks, ruling them out of the knock-out match. The former’s absence looks set to open up a return to action for Jamie Ellis who, if selected, would make his first appearance since defeat at Leigh.
Centre Levi Edwards is a welcome returnee to the ranks after being ruled out with injury since victory over Newcastle Thunder at this year’s Summer Bash.
Half-back Liam Harris, one of the Knights’ most consistent performers and top try-scorer this year, will return to face his former club after representing Halifax throughout 2021.
Preliminary Squad in full
1. Matty Marsh – Sancus Utilities 2. Joe Brown – Purple Chilli Events 3. James Glover – City Cruises York 4. Jacob Ogden – RS Cockerills 7. Jamie Ellis – Monk Bar Models 9. Will Jubb – Clinical Technologies 10. Jack Teanby – Bootham Tavern Knights Social Club 11. Chris Clarkson – GMB Union 13. Jordan Thompson – Assetiam Business Support Services 16. Marcus Stock – The Heworth Inn 17. Danny Kirmond – Gough & Kelly 19. Liam Harris – DNS Hull 22. Myles Harrison – Burflex Scaffolding 23. AJ Towse – Burflex Scaffolding 24. Ronan Michael – Haxby Sports Bar 27. Levi Edwards – Atropa Pharmacy 28. Bailey Antrobus – Inglis Chartered Accountants 29. Joe Porter – The Ellis Family, in memory of David Ellis 34. Tom Inman – Nuffield Health York Hospital 36. Ben Barnard
