HEAD coach James Ford has hailed the impact at York City Knights this season of their two relative unknowns.

England Students internationals Marcus Stock and Jason Bass arrived to little fanfare from League One minnows Hemel Stags and Coventry Bears respectively over the winter, yet despite being given squad numbers 22 and 23, have become regulars in Ford's high-riding Championship side.

Packman Stock, originally from Milton Keynes, has featured in 13 of York's 17 matches so far this term in either the front or back row, including in Sunday's stunning win at Widnes Vikings which lifted the Knights back up to third in the table.

Leicester-born utility back Bass has played 14 times, scoring six tries, including a devastating hat-trick in the victory over Barrow in March.

The 23-year-old was finally given a rest on Sunday following the arrival on loan of Hull KR threequarters Junior Vaivai and Will Oakes, but he, as well as Stock, is set to feature again in Sunday's 1895 Cup second round tie at home to Newcastle Thunder.

Ford said their transitions from near the foot of League One to the top half of the Championship had not gone unnoticed.

"Jason has had a remarkable first half of the season for us," he said.

"He's stepped up from one of the bottom teams in League One and when he's played he's always produced some really good moments, breaking the line, making metres, creating space for other players.

"He's probably needed a rest - we didn't really plan on playing him week in week out.

"He's got a significant role to play for the rest of the season."

On Stock, also 23, he said: "There are a lot of positives around Marcus. He gives us good options and he's a bit different with his footwork.

"Every time he plays he does a couple of really promising things. We just want him to increase his consistency but I'm delighted with his transition.

"He was a Hemel Stags player last year and now he's a fully-fledged York player and doing alright."

Ford added: "Their improvement is testament to their attitude.

"When they arrived they maybe weren't likely to play week in week out but they've worked really hard to facilitate their own development."