MARK Applegarth is delighted to have been handed a player boost for the final two rounds of the Betfred Championship season in the form of captain Liam Harris, Sam Cook and Ukuma Ta’ai.

The trio made a timely return to the Knights’ preliminary squad ahead of this evening’s trip to fellow play-off hopefuls Sheffield Eagles, where a win will keep their top six aspirations alive with a tricky test against Featherstone Rovers on the final day of the season looming.

Harris, who has missed large parts of the campaign with shoulder and hamstring injuries, had initially been ruled out for the rest of 2024 after pulling up during July’s 27-0 victory against Doncaster, as had mid-season arrival Cook, who suffered a similar issue during last month’s defeat at Halifax.

But both have progressed ahead of schedule, and after running post-match sprints at both Whitehaven and Widnes earlier this month, are finally available for selection.

Recommended reading:

As for veteran prop Ta’ai, who suffered a hamstring injury during June’s historic win at Featherstone, Applegarth stressed that whilst itching for a return, he would only do so once his body had fully healed.

He though is a natural replacement for Jack Teanby, suspended for York’s visit to Olympic Legacy Park after an intentional trip at Widnes a fortnight ago.

The Knights boss explained that whilst the trio could have been back in contention for last weekend’s trip to Wakefield, given the short turnaround between matches, they were not risked.“

They definitely give a boost, especially off the back of that short turnaround too,” he enthused to The Press. “It’s good to get some bodies back; not only are they quality players but they offer a lot of leadership as well.

“It’s been outstanding with how the squad has responded to not having them available, but I think we’re a better team for having them in and around the training camp.

“At a push, we could have probably thrown a few of them in against Wakefield, but we thought that we’d be better hanging tight for a few days going into the Sheffield game.

“I’m glad to have them back, but you’ve got to take things week by week haven’t you.”

AJ Towse will miss the trip to Sheffield with concussion.AJ Towse will miss the trip to Sheffield with concussion. (Image: Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com) Whilst the Knights picked up no new injuries in their battle with the League Leaders’ Shield winners, tonight’s match has come too soon for AJ Towse, who is ruled out under concussion protocols.

The former Heworth youngster, who will join Betfred Super League side Leigh Leopards for 2025 and beyond, had been making the most of his opportunity on the right-wing following Joe Brown’s switch to full-back, but in Tom Lineham the Knights have a capable replacement for their trip to South Yorkshire. 

Applegarth continued: “It was a tough, physical game and obviously we’ve got a few bumps and bruises, but we seem to have, touch wood, got through it okay.

“We’ve got training again tonight (Thursday), so as long as everyone gets through that, we’ll see where we’re at after that.

“The short turnaround on games has come a bit soon for AJ with his concussion and return to play protocol, he should be back available for Featherstone.

“He’s working hard with the medical staff and when he can do some close skills stuff and things like that, that’s when we get involved.

“I’ve full confidence in the medical team to take him through that and when we’re allowed to do stuff, we’ll do stuff.”