MARK Applegarth is relishing his new-found selection headache at York Knights, insisting “long may it continue.”

The Knights boss has had more problems struggling to field a full team during his tenure so far, but welcomed back key figures in captain Liam Harris, second-row/centre Jesse Dee and prop Ukuma Ta’ai for Friday’s 26-24 win at Sheffield Eagles.

Harris was twice on the scoresheet as York held off a late Eagles charge, winning the race to Ata Hingano’s grubber in the first half before running onto his own kick through to score on the hour.

But a Nikau Williams penalty proved the decider, with tries from Matty Dawson-Jones and Tyler Dickinson inside the final 10 minutes not quite enough to see the hosts across the line.

Personnel changes saw a shuffle among the Knights’ backs, with Williams dropping from the halves to full-back, Joe Brown returning to the wing, and Tom Lineham moving back to the left edge. 

Both winger Brad Ward and prop Bailey Antrobus dropped out of the 17 altogether, whilst Leigh Leopards loanee Jacob Gannon was substituted during the first half for Dee, who made his first appearance in the second row under his new head coach after returning from a bicep tear.

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York now finally have options at their disposal ahead of Sunday’s final day showdown at home to fellow top six hopefuls Featherstone Rovers, with just points difference separating the sides in the race for a coveted play-off spot.

But Applegarth is not fazed by that prospect, stressing: “I’d rather have these sorts of headaches as a head coach than for example, when we went to Bradford (at the end of July) and we were struggling to field a 17.

“You know what you’re getting with those players, Ukuma especially. It’s good to get him back involved in the team but we just needed to be smart with him.

“Jesse Dee, it’s the first time that I’ve actually seen him play live! Everyone’s told me how much of a good player he is, and obviously now I can see that.

“And you saw the influence Liam can have on a game. It takes a lot of pressure off Ata and Nikau and they can play their more natural games, so it gives us a bit more composure there.”

Oli Field has returned strongly after being dropped following his performance in last month's defeat at Halifax Panthers.Oli Field has returned strongly after being dropped following his performance in last month's defeat at Halifax Panthers. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Supporters had questioned the decision to drop former Heworth talent Ward, who had scored a seventh try of the season at League Leaders’ Shield winners Wakefield Trinity a week prior.

Applegarth though admitted that after having repeatedly noticed areas that he felt needed to be fixed-up and having dropped centre Oli Field for similar reasons after last month’s collapse at Halifax Panthers, he felt he had no choice but to do so.

The head coach explained: “There were some tough calls, young Wardy has been doing some excellent things out on that wing, so that was a tough call. 

“But ultimately I dropped Oli Field for his performance at Halifax for a couple of things in his game that he’d done for three or four [weeks] and that was the case with Wardy. There were one or two areas that we were working with him on, and I can’t look Fieldy in the eyes if I’m not saying the same to Wardy and treating him like I’ve treat him.

“That was a tough call, and Bailey Antrobus, he too got left out, and James Cunningham. They’re quality players that you have a really good think about. On a Tuesday you’re thinking one thing, then you have a sleep and you wake up on a Wednesday or a Thursday and your mind’s gone a different route.

“They’re definitely the sort of headaches that I want, and long may it continue.”