FORMER York City Knights winger Tom Lineham will represent his new club, Hull, at the Carnegie 9s at Headingley tonight – aiming to show his paces again and help to earn a longer deal with the Airlie Birds, writes Peter Martini.

Lineham, then a 17-year-old Knights reserve, came a close-up third when he competed, as a late entrant, against rugby league’s fastest men in the in the inaugural Sprint Challenge at the 2009 Carnegie Floodlit 9s.

The speedy sideshow returns tonight, and Lineham, now 19, is again in the line-up, along with the likes of Salford’s Jodie Broughton, Warirngton’s Rhys Evans and Leeds’ Ben Jones Bishop.

Former York RUFC youngster Lineham, who took up rugby league in late 2008 after joining the team at York College, left the Knights in May to sign a five-week contract with Hull.

He had not played for York this year after a knee reconstruction but showed enough last term to catch the Super League club’s eye.

He has since seen his original temporary deal extended until the end of this season and The Press understands he is continuing to impress former Knights boss Richard Agar and his coaching team at the KC Stadium as he seeks a permanent deal next term.

Meanwhile, former York forward Ian Kirke has agreed a new two-year contract with Leeds Rhinos.

The 30-year-old has made 126 appearances since joining the Rhinos from York in 2006 and appeared in all three of their Grand Final triumphs from 2007 to 2009.

Leeds coach Brian McDermott said: “I am really pleased that Ian has agreed a new contract.”