YORK City Knights have sold Joe Helme for a "decent four-figure sum" and are now eyeing a possible raid on Doncaster Lakers.

The Knights initially sought a swap deal with which to offload the want-away prop but Dewsbury Rams came in with a cash offer that was too good to turn down.

As well as adding money to the coffers, Helme's departure to the National League One club also frees up space under the salary cap, giving the Knights more room to manoeuvre as they look to bolster the first-team squad.

It has been known for some time that boss Mick Cook is seeking a specialist scrum-half, following Anthony Thackeray's return to Hull, a prop, following Helme's departure and long-term injury to Ryan MacDonald, and a winger, given the injury problems suffered by Johnny Waldron, Alex Godfrey and Lee Lingard.

New recruits could come from Doncaster after the Lakers' entire squad became free agents this week as a result of the club entering into a company voluntary agreement (CVA), and Knights chief executive John Guildford confirmed they were "monitoring the situation" at the Keepmoat Stadium.

However, most National League clubs will be on that case and York will almost certainly face competition for players' signatures should they show an interest.

Cook is also talking to a couple of Super League clubs about bringing fringe players on loan to Huntington Stadium - most likely a young half-back to be a like-for-like replacement for Thackeray - and The Press believes there is a chance a signing could be in place in time for Sunday's trip to Workington.

However, the Knights were remaining tight-lipped about who they were looking at and how far negotiations had gone.

The need for new players has nonetheless grown, not only with the departure of Helme but also the ongoing injury situation at Huntington Stadium.

Rob Spicer and Lingard might be fit to return to the team this weekend, but almost certainly out is John Smith, who suffered a suspected broken foot in the loss at Barrow last weekend.

It is desperately hoped the groin injuries picked up by Scott Rhodes and George Rayner prove to be minor, and also that Dave Buckley's knee problem won't rule him out this weekend, otherwise Cook will be thin on the ground.

Danny Grimshaw has returned to training after his long-term knee injury but remains some way off full fitness and, having been out since last season, is likely to have a few run-outs in the Under-21s before being considered for first-team action.

The Knights Supporters' Club will run a bus to Sunday's game at Workington, leaving Huntington Stadium at 10am. Other pick-up points may be provided if there is sufficient demand.

To book, call 07958 569266 and leave your name, membership number and contact number. Anyone wishing to join the Supporters' Club can do so on the day.

Prices will be £16 for adults, £14 concessions, and students and Under-16s £10. Reduced family prices are also possible.