BOSS Gary Thornton expects no further signings at York City Knights after Lee Paterson put pen to paper to effectively complete the roll call for 2014.

The much-travelled 32-year-old former Scotland international, pictured, returns to his hometown club after seven years away, and takes the Knights’ train-on squad up to 36.

That number – which includes several trialists and others trying to forge a career in the semi-pro arena after being released by Super League clubs – will be culled to 25 ahead of the season, with the remainder playing for the under-20s or, if they are too old for that level, being released.

Thornton, delighted to have Paterson’s experience on board, said: “I think that will be it now unless someone out of the ordinary becomes available and is within budget.

“The new partnership with Castleford is now public and there are players we can call on from there if we need to. With that in our back pocket, we’re reasonably strong.

“I’ll have difficult decisions in January when slimming the squad down to a first-team squad of 25. Of the 36 we’ve got, there are some who would naturally go into the U20s, but I will have to let some go.

“It’s tough and some players will be unlucky but I can only take so many players forward and they’ve always known that. It is already creating competition for places.”

York born and bred, and a product of New Earswick All Blacks, Paterson was the Players’ Player of the Year in the Knights’ 2005 National League Two-title winning campaign and took over the captaincy the following year.

He played 44 times in 2005 and 2006, scoring four tries and seven goals. He had joined from Keighley, and continued his career with spells at Widnes, Carpentras in France, Featherstone, Mackay Cutters in Australia and Whitehaven, where he was an ever-present as the Cumbrians consolidated their place in the Kingstone Press Championship this year following promotion. He was in Scotland’s squad for the 2008 World Cup but missed out on selection for 2013.

“It’s about his experience and professionalism as much as anything,” said Thornton, who has penned Paterson in for the loose-forward roll at the back of the pack.

“We’re a young squad but now, together with the likes of Jason Golden, Jack Lee and Iain Morrison, Lee gives some experience in that middle unit where we perhaps lacked it at times last season.

“Wherever he has been, he’s had an element of success, including at Whitehaven who were keen to keep him. We’ve had a battle to convince him to drop down to Championship One as he could have another year in the Championship but hopefully he will have more success here.

“As well as his wealth of experience, his good attitude will rub off. He’s a good team player and he knows what it’s all about.”

Knights 2014 train-on squad: backs – James Haynes, Luke Hardcastle, James Ford, George Elliott, Ben Dent, Greg Minikin, Adam Dent, Luke Tomlinson, Scott Talbot, Tom Rogers (trial), Curtis McDonald (trial); pivots – Jack Lee, Kriss Brining, Jonny Presley, Pat Smith, Benn Hardcastle, Harry Carter, James Morland, Sam Walsh (trial), Jack Pickerill (trial); forwards – Jack Aldous, Sam Orange, Ryan Mallinder, Tyler Craig, Tim Stubbs, Ed Smith, Jake Joynt, Nathan Freer, Iain Morrison, Jack Iley, Austin Bell, Nathan Harper, Ben Crane, Jack Pickles, Jason Golden, Lee Paterson.