YORK City Knights are hoping to secure the permanent services of hat-trick hero Jonny Woodcock - but the final decision rests with Doncaster Dragons.

The full-back came on loan to Huntington Stadium from Doncaster three-and-a-half weeks ago in a one-month deal, and in his four games since then has scored six tries, including a brilliant hat-trick - the first of his career - in the 64-8 demolition of Gateshead Thunder yesterday, a result which keeps the Knights firmly in the promotion hunt.

Woodcock, last season's Northern Ford Premiership young player of the year, admitted to the Evening Press he is enjoying his time at York and did not rule out a permanent switch.

"It's been really good. I've found all the lads to be really good and the coaching has been good too. I've really enjoyed it," he said.

"York have said they would be happy to keep me but it's up to me and (Doncaster coach) St John Ellis to see what's best for everybody. I've got to have a chat with him and go from there."

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres confirmed: "Jonny has done a very good job for us, playing in his favoured position of full-back, and all things being equal we would like him to stay, but it is pretty much out of our hands."

The 21-year-old, who was with Hull's youth set-up before joining Doncaster, was especially pleased to notch his treble yesterday, and reckoned the Knights' second-half display was as good as the record-breaking performances against Keighley and London Skolars.

"It was the first hat-trick of my professional career and I really enjoyed it," he said.

"It was definitely the most pleasing thing for me.

"It was a good team performance. In the first half we were a bit slow but in the second half it was the best we've played since I've been here.

"We did well to turn it round like that after last week's loss to Sheffield.

"In the first half they controlled the play-the-balls so I'm surprised they did not break us down more but in the second half we tidied it up. We could concentrate more on attack and obviously you're not as tired as when you have to defend more."

Yesterday's attendance was Gateshead's biggest home gate of the season, boosted by a considerable contingent of the Knights' faithful.

Updated: 11:14 Monday, August 04, 2003