YORK City Knights are set to start Friday's final Arriva Trains Cup group game at Featherstone with an entirely new front row after loan ranger Ryan Benjefield was recalled by Hull.

In addition to the 21-year-old's sudden departure - which leaves the Knights again on the lookout for a new prop -the Evening Press believes Yusuf Sozi, who has a slight shoulder problem, and captain Lee Jackson are likely to be rested ahead of the all-important National League Two opener at home to Chorley on Bank Holiday Monday.

It is thought coach Richard Agar could begin tomorrow's game - the outcome of which is academic as the Knights have already reached the knockout stages - with an experimental front line featuring young second-row Tom Andrews alongside fit-again prop Dan Briggs and pacy hooker Jim Elston. Recent recruit Andy Burland could also feature as a substitute prop.

Benjefield had been a big hit during his week-to-week loan spell at Huntington Stadium and the Knights had been hoping to keep him for longer, at least until their run of five games in 15 days ends on Monday.

However, the Super League giants recalled him out of the blue to glean fresh options for their busy Easter period, starting tonight at home to Castleford.

Benjefield had been ineligible for the Knights' Challenge Cup run but otherwise played in all five of York's games since signing on loan in February, scoring two tries.

"We're delighted he came here and we had been hoping he would stay longer," said Knights chief executive Steve Ferres, who had signed Benjefield as a temporary replacement for retired legend Rich Hayes.

"But we always knew it was a short-term fix and we're now looking for another prop. We will draw up a short list and see where we can go from there."

Ferres said the club had not stopped searching for a packman even while Benjefield was at Huntington Stadium, but the fact he has now gone has increased the importance of getting someone in.

However, the good news for the Knights is that Briggs has recovered from his recent knee injury, while Joe Helme, who has been unavailable so far this season due to fire service training commitments, has also been back training.

Their returns means the Knights are not as desperate for a new front-rower as they otherwise would have been, with Sozi, Craig Forsyth and Burland, who is on a week-to-week contract, the only other out-and-out props at the club.

Twenty-year-old Helme, who impressed in his eight games at the end of last season, remains unlikely to feature this weekend as he is yet to receive clearance to play from his station master but he is hopeful of returning to match action within a fortnight.

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, April 08, 2004