JAMES FORD is "very confident" that York City Knights will be able to retain half-back Brendan O'Hagan.

York confirmed their latest player signed up for at least next season as Jordan Thompson penned a new three-year deal with the club yesterday.

The Knights have now secured the servies of 10 players for 2023 and beyond, although the future of O'Hagan has not yet been established.

The Australian has made 17 appearances for York this season, scoring seven tries and one field-goal, with Ford's side having secured a return to the Betfred Championship play-offs, which begin later this month.

Head coach Ford enthused: “Brendan is a player with really high potential.

"Things didn’t go to plan for Brendan last year and he came into this year without a pre-season.

“He’ll be up towards 20 appearances, I’d have thought, this year. That’s a really positive sign.

“If Brendan does stay, and we’re very confident that he will do, on the back of a really solid pre-season, I think we’ll see an even better Brendan going forward.”

O'Hagan is set for feature for York again on Saturday night at Newcastle Thunder (7pm), with Ford eyeing improvements from the halves after Friday's 20-12 win over Sheffield Eagles.

“We want to tidy up some play fives and we’ve spoken a lot about small talk and add-on talk," the coach revealed.

“When a half-back or middle calls a play, the edges need to be calling in their part of that play, what space they’re in and what line they’re on.

“That talk makes us a much more fluent side. Communication separates good teams from great teams and average players from good players.

“It puts confidence in the players to the side of you and takes confidence away from the opposition.

“It’s something that I’m looking forward to hearing improve.”