FIESTY young Hunslet Hawks second rower Shaun Ibbetson has joined York City Knights on a four-match loan to add extra cover in the pack.

The 6ft 3in-tall 20-year-old was named in Richard Agar's National League 2 dream team last year but has struggled to get in the Hawks side this campaign, prompting the Knights coaching staff to make an approach.

He has now agreed a deal that will keep him at Huntington Stadium until after the Keighley Cougars home match on July 3.

Head coach Mick Cook said: "He's going to come for four games. We realised he wasn't getting a game at Hunslet and when we approached them, he was made available to us."

He came face-to-face with his surrogate side in the dismal Northern Rail Cup group game at South Leeds Stadium in which he was put on report for a near spear-tackle on Mark Cain.

He has also seen red at Huntington Stadium in the past for his part in a punch up with Trevor Krause in September 2003.

Ibbetson is the first sign of a replacement following the sudden departure of Simon Friend back to his Australian homeland three weeks ago. But Cook stressed this was just a short term measure.

He said: "We did lose Simon Friend and as it happens, James Ward pulled out on Thursday with a hamstring injury and we don't know how serious that is, so it may have come at an ideal time.

"We have got plenty of guys who can fill in there at the moment but Shaun is a pretty tough no-nonsense type of player and if needs be, he will slot in accordingly."

Coach Daryl Powell (pictured) has wound up his involvement with the Knights after leaving Super League Leeds Rhinos to take up a new coaching role at rugby union outfit Leeds Tykes.

His coaching consultancy role at the Knights included assisting with the post-match analysis, working with the coaching staff on match days and a hands-on session with players once a week.

Said Cook: "He's finished his duties with York this season. We will miss him because he's an experienced coach but I will still be in close contact with him so we are not going to lose out too much. I'm really pleased for him - it's a good position."

There are no plans to draft any new coaches in.

Blackpool Panthers player Gary Rourke has been banned after ephedrine was found in a drugs test and will miss next Saturday's match against York.

Play The Ball - Page 27

Updated: 12:03 Saturday, May 28, 2005