INJURY-HIT York City Knights have bolstered their squad with the loan-signing of highly-rated winger Rickki Sheriffe from Huddersfield Giants.

A mounting 'wounded in action' list has left player-coach Paul Broadbent down to the bare bones, but the arrival of a fresh face in the ranks will liven up the Knights ahead of Sunday's final Arriva Trains Cup match against Featherstone Rovers, at Huntington Stadium.

Sheriffe, 18, has joined under the recommendation of Broadbent's assistant coach Graeme Hallas, who himself is currently one of the players on the sidelines, and looks set to go straight in to the 17 for Sunday.

With Alex Godfrey having played on despite needing a hernia operation, the arrival of Sheriffe should allow the York wingman to go under the knife.

Chief executive Steve Ferres told the Evening Press: "Ricky is a promising young player. He played outside Graeme Hallas at Huddersfield and came with his recommendation.

"With Alex Godfrey sustaining an injury, it means we've now got some cover to allow him to go and arrange the operation."

Missing from the Knights' line up along with Hallas are Carl Stannard, Jonny Firth, Mark Cain, Lee Jackson and Matt Blaymire, with Godfrey now a possible to miss out on Sunday.

However, the Knights have added loose-forward Lance Hamilton to the squad, with the former Chorley Lynx player on trial at Huntington Stadium, while Scott Rhodes is also available after missing last week's win over Dewsbury Rams.

Updated: 12:04 Friday, April 11, 2003