KEY new signing Wayne McHugh will make his York City Knights debut tonight – but boss Paul March is not expecting major things just yet.

The Press can reveal that also on view for the first time will be Lee Waterman, who is a trialist from National Conference amateur big-guns Skirlaugh, as well as York College teenagers Dan Fairclough and Tom Lineham, as reported yesterday.

The Knights visit Championship One rivals Hunslet Hawks (kick off 8pm) for their second pre-season friendly, and for 28-year-old threequarter McHugh, it will be his first hit-out since June, when his season was ended by a nine-month jail sentence for perverting the course of justice.

The former top try-scorer with Dewsbury and Featherstone sat out Sunday’s pre-season opener against the York Select XIII as work commitments meant he missed a couple of training sessions, but March said he was ready to go.

“He needs to get a run-out under his belt as quickly as he can,” said March. “Everybody knows what he can do but he’s not played for a long time so he needs to blow the cobwebs off.”

Tomorrow’s game was arranged predominantly so both clubs could give run-outs to academy players and fringe first-teamers.

The Knights have always stressed everyone in their 36-man squad is in the running for a first-team shirt, but McHugh is the only old stager in a 20-man squad which also includes the goal-kicking full-back Waterman, who has signed amateur forms.

March said: “Lee’s name has been passed about and we’ve been to see him. He’s impressed us. He’s a big lad and brings the ball back well. He’s an excellent goalkicker as well. He’ll play with a view to signing for the season.”

Five of the young new signings that played against York Select on Sunday will be in action again – Adam Jones, Tom Stancliffe, who won that game with his two late tries, Chris Williams, Chris Clough and Kris Peacock.

First-teamers Scott Woodcock and Steve Grundy are involved again, though the bulk of the remainder in tonight’s line-up are academy regulars.

March added: “Everyone in our 36-man squad can take the field on the opening day (of the season). Everyone is training well and has a point to prove on the field. It’s good to see so many coming through the academy and pushing for first-team places.”

Hunslet are also fielding a predominantly youthful line-up, though a few senior players – among them Richard Chapman, Danny Cook, Chris Redfearn, Anthony Thewliss and former Featherstone player Craig Cawthray – could be included.

Admission prices tonight are just £2, with children under 11 free.

Knights: from Waterman, T Wilcox-Harrison, McHugh, Jones, Stancliffe, Grimshaw, Watling, Hunter, Williams, Endersby, O Wilcox-Harrison, Clough, Peacock, Hodgson, Grundy, Woodcock, Ja Stearman, Walton, Fairclough, Lineham.