MAN of the moment Jim Elston reckons he made the right move when he left Dewsbury for York City Knights in the closed season.

The hooker-cum-half-back, who returns to Ram Stadium tomorrow for the first time since moving to Huntington Stadium, has slotted superbly into the Knights' set-up, most notably with an all-star performance in the 56-24 win at Gateshead last week.

He has lauded his team-mates in the wake of his hat-trick heroics at the Thunderdome, and is delighted to be part of the City Knights gang.

"It's been really good," he told the Evening Press. "We've got a good bunch of lads and everyone is starting to blend. We realise there are errors in us but we are working on them each week and by the time the league season starts we will be a more polished outfit.

"Everyone is willing to put the work in, and the fact there are a lot of good players here keeps everyone on their toes. There were good players on the sidelines again last week, and it means no-one can relax."

He added: "I'm definitely happy to come to York. The club is really professional, the supporters have been great and it's nice to be part of a winning team."

Elston's super show at Gateshead began after the 24-year-old switched to hooker following injury to captain Lee Jackson, who suffered trapped nerves in a shoulder.

However, the former Great Britain ace will be back to face Dewsbury, while first-choice stand-off Scott Rhodes also returns after a rib injury, meaning Elston will be back on the bench, again being utilised as an impact player.

"Richard Agar (coach) has got the selection headache and at the end of the day that can't be bad," said Elston, adding: "My first aim for the season is to stay in the side, keep doing well, keep pushing and keep learning off Lee Jackson.

"I see myself mainly as a hooker and for me to come to York and learn off Lee is fantastic."

Jackson himself had high praise for his 'pupil'.

"He reminds me of myself a bit when I was his age," said Jackson. "He's very quick off the mark and he's very deceptive with his pace and he's got enough of it to go through and score."

Agar will also have Craig Forsyth back from suspension. He will be joined in the front row department by new loanee Ryan Benjefield, while Dan Briggs, who shone at Gateshead, is a likely substitute.

Aaron Wood and Alex Godfrey have recovered from their knocks, but Mark Cain is a new injury doubt with a recurrence of a knee problem and could miss out along with youngsters Scott Walker and John Smith, who see their places taken by winger Chris Smith, a try-scoring substitute last week, and new-boy Benjefield respectively.

The Rams - led by caretaker coach David Mycoe after Andy Fisher's departure in the wake of their Challenge Cup defeat to amateurs Sharlston -- bounced back to hammer Sheffield 42-18 last week, Darren Robinson scoring two tries and fellow former Knight Adam Thaler one.

They received another boost ahead of tomorrow's game when forward Billy Kershaw and utility back Richard Thaler declared themselves fit.

Updated: 09:55 Saturday, February 21, 2004