YORK City Knights are close to bringing Super League starlet Matty Brooks on loan to Huntington Stadium.

The club have been seeking a new half-back since Anthony Thackeray's loan deal from Hull ended prematurely at Easter, and they have found a possible replacement at neighbouring Hull KR.

The two clubs have reached an agreement for Brooks to develop his game with York, and now the Knights just need to speak to the player himself and his agent.

Brooks' signature might be in place some time today but it is more likely to be sealed early next week. Either way, he will not be in the reckoning for Sunday's National League Two trip to Workington.

Scrum-half Brooks, 20, is a member of the Robins' first-team squad and has already played twice in Super League this season, scoring one try and one goal, following their promotion from NL1 last year.

However, he is currently on the fringes behind Aussie James Webster and fellow half-backs Scott Murrell and veteran utility ace Stanley Gene.

The deal would see him come to York initially on a one-month loan, though that could always be extended.

Knights head coach Mick Cook said: "He's come through the Bradford academy and Hull KR spotted his potential. He's got a good kicking game and he's a smart player."

Cook is still sweating on the fitness of stand-off Scott Rhodes and full-back George Rayner, both key attackers, ahead of Sunday's game.

If they don't overcome their groin injuries, former York Acorn ARLC half-back Andy Gargan is likely to get a recall, while Lee Lingard, who has trained again this week, would be a natural replacement at number one.

Cook has also been contemplating throwing Danny Grimshaw straight back into the firing line, even though the 21-year-old has only trained three times since knee surgery and has not played a game since his two appearances for York last August. However, the Knights boss would much prefer him to first get more training under his belt, plus game-time in the under-21s, and the recruitment of Brooks would create more scope to do so.

Grimshaw may yet get a run-out for the under-21s against Workington this Sunday (ko 1pm), which will act as a curtain-raiser to the first-team match between the clubs.

Elsewhere, Cook will have Nathan Priestley back after the second-rower missed the loss at Barrow with a shoulder injury, and he will be a direct replacement for John Smith, who is now out for some time with a broken foot.

Dave Buckley says he is okay to play, despite a knee problem, while Cook might also add former Acorn prop Adam Endersby to the squad.

The Press believes Cook has checked out several of the Doncaster players whose futures are in doubt due to the Lakers' financial situation. However, as they have been on full-time contracts, the Knights have so far been priced out of the market, not helped by salary cap.