MORE signings are on the horizon for York City Knights as the club look to strengthen ahead of the National League Division Two campaign, writes Peter Martini.

The club have refused to mention names but chief executive Steve Ferres confirmed that they have a shortlist of about half-a-dozen players.

"We will have more players before National League Two kicks off (on April 18), probably another four," he told the Evening Press.

"We want to increase the quality of the squad to take things forward."

Forwards Tommy Gallagher and Damien Kennedy, who both came on loan to the Knights from Leeds Rhinos, have returned to Headingley now that the Under-21 Academy season has begun, while Jermaine Coleman, who played two games for the Knights during a trial spell at Huntington Stadium this season, has signed for National League Division Two crisis club Gateshead Thunder.

With knee injury victim Carl Stannard - who is to see a specialist amid fears his season may be over - also out long-term, the Knights squad has been depleted in the last week.

But Ferres said: "Hopefully, the signings will be more long-term rather than short-term loans, although it's difficult because most players are signed up already.

"We're working hard to make the squad as competitive as possible and things are going in the right direction."

Updated: 11:21 Thursday, March 13, 2003