Knights' triple swoop

As reported in later editions of the Evening Press yesterday, the Knights have signed Castleford Tigers half-back Adam Thaler on loan for the season, and they followed that up by snapping up Scott Rhodes from Dewsbury and prop Andy Burland from Doncaster.

Thaler and local star Rhodes, the former Heworth player, are set to go straight into the 17 for the visit to Huntington Stadium of Rhodes' former club, Sheffield Eagles, on Sunday (kick off 3pm).

Rhodes, the 23-year-old Scotland international scrum-half, who is good mates with several Knights players, left Sheffield for Dewsbury in the close season but has failed to settle at Ram Stadium and asked for a transfer.

He has signed for the Knights for a year with a nominal fee going to Dewsbury.

Knights chief executive Steve Ferres then snapped him up. "First of all we're glad to have players added to the squad to increase competition for places," he said.

"Scott will give us options from scrum-half and he's got a good kicking game. This will be his third club in three years and we hope he settles down at his home-town club and produces the form that encouraged Leeds Rhinos to sign him as a youngster.

"If he can produce that we expect he will have a bright future."

Former Batley prop Burland, 25, who was out of the game for a year after suffering a broken jaw, made his debut off the bench for Doncaster in their defeat at York a fortnight ago, and now joins the Knights for a month.

Ferres, who was at Huddersfield when the Giants signed Burland for their Academy six years ago, said: "He's looking to establish himself as a first-choice prop and we're pleased to give him the opportunity and thankful for Doncaster allowing him to have the chance with us."

The signings are well-timed as the Knights, as reported by later editions yesterday, have bid farewell to half-back Scott Yeaman, who has left because work commitments made it hard for him to attend training, while Aussie stand-off Jonny Firth suffered a major bicep injury against Hull KR last week.

Firth tore a tendon off the bone and has undergone surgery, and will return to the specialist to assess the damage in two weeks. It is not yet known how long he will be out for.

In more injury news, centre Graeme Hallas suffered a knee injury at New Craven Park and will miss Sunday's match, while Alex Godfrey is doubtful after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury. Mark Cain looks okay after his hip problem last week, while Lee Jackson is set for another late test on his back.

Updated: 11:38 Friday, March 28, 2003