YORK City Knights are hoping to conclude deals for two more players early next week - if they can persuade them to step down to National League Two.

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres has confirmed he has been in talks with a back-rower and a centre and, although no names have been released, the Evening Press believes both would be playing in National League One next season if they decide not to sign for the Knights.

The negotiations have been on hold while Ferres has been on holiday but he was now hoping to tie up the signatures after the weekend.

"We are still looking for a back-row forward, a centre and a prop forward and we will pursue that further," he told the Evening Press.

"We have got offers out to a back-row forward and a centre and we are hoping to conclude something by early next week."

The Knights' search for a prop, meanwhile, may depend on whether club captain Rich Hayes decides to stave off retirement for another year, while talks have also been ongoing with fellow York-based front-rower Craig Forsyth, who also proved a big hit last term after signing for his home-town club from Doncaster.

Hayes, who has a testimonial game coming up against former club Hull KR on January 4, is considering hanging up his boots after 16 years in the professional arena, though both the club and fans have expressed their wish for the 33-year-old former National League Prop of the Year to stay another season.

Updated: 10:12 Saturday, November 01, 2003