POWERFUL props David Bates and Joe Helme have agreed new deals to stay with York City Knights next season, the Evening Press can reveal.

The duo are set to put pen to paper this week, with Ireland international Bates agreeing to a one-year contract and youngster Helme signing for two years.

However, the Evening Press understands that fellow prop Yusuf Sozi will not be with the club next year having turned down a new deal.

The recruitment of Bates and Helme continues the Knights' squad building for next season following their promotion to LHF National League One.

Former Castleford player Bates, who is again in the Ireland squad for the European Nations Cup at the end of the season, joined York from NL1 side Halifax before the 2005 season, having played in the Fax team that beat the Knights in the play-off final last year.

The 24-year-old missed the first part of the campaign due to a minor drugs ban relating to his time at The Shay but made his debut in the Challenge Cup tie at St Helens in May and played in seven league games, before a knee injury ended his season early. He is hoping to be fit for the Euro Nations Cup.

Helme, 21, first played for the Knights in 2003 but had to put his rugby career on hold under the conditions of his Fire Service training. He returned to Huntington Stadium this season and played his first game last month after his probationary period with the Fire Service ended.

Knights chief executive John Guildford said both players were set to improve further under the guidance of assistant-coach Paul Broadbent, the ex-Great Britain international front-rower.

He added: "They are both young and we're expecting big things of them, especially with the coaching they'll receive.

"Batesy has proved himself at that level before while Big Joe is a natural prop with his size and bulk. He will be a good player in that division for years to come."

Sozi, though, has not agreed terms to stay at Huntington Stadium.

The only Ugandan-born rugby league professional has missed only four games in the last two seasons having first come to York from Gateshead Thunder ahead of the 2004 campaign.

The 23-year-old has played 57 times for the Knights, scoring 13 tries, and was voted Player of the Month by fans in July 2004. He was also named the Press' man of the match in the title-clinching victory at Hunslet 11 days ago.

Fans are assured this weekend's Workington home game is definitely on Sunday, kick off 3pm, not Saturday as has been reported in other media.

The champion Knights will be presented with the National League Two trophy on the pitch immediately after the game.

Updated: 10:04 Thursday, September 01, 2005