York City Knights are set to add more names to their squad - with chief executive Steve Ferres saying the fans are helping to attract players.

Three more players are in talks with the Knights, with the club hopeful of concluding deals by the end of this week. And Ferres says attendances and atmospheres like that on Sunday, when the Knights beat National League Two leaders Keighley in front of a divisional record crowd of 1,835, are making it easier for the club to boost the ranks.

The Evening Press believes Hunslet Hawks prop Dan Briggs, a Heworth ARLC player, and former Wakefield utility star Stuart Godfrey are on the Knights' recruitment list. A third player is thought to be a highly-rated youngster currently with a Super League Academy.

"By the end of the week there will be three new faces coming down to have a look," said Ferres, who again praised the club's support.

The Knights' attendance on Sunday was greater than all the other National League Two crowds that day put together, while only one club in National League One got a higher gate.

Said Ferres: "We want to make York the place to come, and support like that makes it easier to attract players.

"We want to fetch more players in to bolster competition for places."

York-based Briggs has been with Hunslet for the past two seasons but has not been a regular in the Hawks line-up this year.

Godfrey - no relation to Knights winger Alex - can play centre, stand-off or loose-forward. He scored three tries in 13 appearances for the Wildcats in 1997 in the old Division One before slipping out of the professional scene. He has since refound his enthusiasm for the game in the amateur ranks and comes highly recommended.

Meanwhile, Knights prop Craig Forsyth is doubtful for Sunday's trip to London Skolars. Forsyth was stretchered off in the second half of York's win over Keighley after taking a knock to the head and went to hospital as a precaution.

Player-coach and fellow prop Paul Broadbent is still waiting for swelling to go down on his knee before any diagnosis can be made on his injury. It is feared he will be out for several weeks.

York City Knights Supporters' Club are running a bus on Sunday to the National League Two match at London Skolars. The cost will be £15 per adult, £10 per child.

It will leave from Huntington Stadium only at about 10am, a time to be confirmed later in the week. This bus is in addition to the pre-booked train trip. Anyone interested should contact the club office on 01904 656105.

Updated: 11:07 Tuesday, July 15, 2003