YORK City Knights have pulled off a double whammy by re-signing prop Adam Sullivan and bringing in local product Jonny Liddell.

Captain Lee Jackson has also been offered a new deal, with the club now awaiting a response from the former Great Britain hooker.

The two signings have taken the number of players on the 2005 crusade to seven - the others being Scott Rhodes, John Smith, Yusuf Sozi, Jim Elston and new Aussie recruit Chris Levy - as the squad slowly begins to take shape.

The Knights beat several LHF National League One clubs to young prop Sullivan's services.

The ex-Bradford Bulls Academy star initially joined York from Hull KR in late July, arriving alongside winger Craig Farrell and back-row Dean Andrews as part of the deal that took Damian Ball to Craven Park.

The former Great Britain Under-16s junior, who was picked for the National League U21 representative side in 2003, added size and strength to the Knights' pack, playing in each of the last ten games of the season, scoring twice.

He had been a free agent after the season ended and the Press believes he had been offered terms by his previous club as well as Featherstone and Doncaster, but has decided to remain in NL2 to assist the Knights' new promotion push.

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres said: "Adam was something we had been looking for all season, a bit of size up front. He came for the last ten games and improved each game he was with us and we anticipate that improvement will continue dramatically next year.

"It's been a difficult time for Adam as he's been pressurised by other clubs to sign for them but we're delighted to have him back on board."

Liddell has rejoined his home-town club from NL2 rivals Hunslet. A product of Leeds Rhinos Academy - where he played under new Knights boss Mick Cook - and, before then, amateurs York Acorn, he had played for York Wasps in their last season, 2002, before moving on to the Hawks. He has played in a number of positions, including hooker, loose-forward, stand-off and full-back.

Ferres said: "He has a lot of utility value and has been desperate to play for his home-town club. I think he will be a very useful acquisition."

Former Great Britain hooker Jackson - who joined the Knights ahead of their inaugural 2003 season, becoming captain in 2004 - turned 35 during the season but his fitness and form remained unquestioned, so much so he picked up the Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire Player of the Year award last week.

The ex-Leeds, Newcastle Knights and Hull star had declared his desire, following York's play-off final defeat, to stave off retirement, stating he wanted to help take the Knights into LHF National League One. He is now mulling over the terms offered to him by the club.

Updated: 10:24 Wednesday, October 27, 2004