JOE McLOCKLAN is facing a York City Knights club fine after failing to turn up for the reserves' match away to Oldham today.

The former Featherstone hooker, a big signing when he stepped down to the Championship One outfit, was recently told he could find another club having failed to live up to expectations.

However, he remains under contract and was named in the 17-man reserves squad, only for his non-show to leave coach Mick Ramsden with only 16 men - and down to 14 for the second half due to planned substitutions.

They duly lost 48-16, 26 of the Roughyeds' points coming in the last 20 minutes as the young York side tired.

Knights director of rugby Dave Woods said: "We're not happy he's not here. He said he was coming, and all it's done is let his mates down."

The Knights last week effectively placed McLocklan and fellow big signing Danny Hill on the transfer list amid criticism of some players' attitude.

Woods added: "We want to change the culture at the place. We want people who want to be here and want to play.

"We will speak to Joe on Tuesday (at training)."

Scrum-half Jonathan Schofield pressed claims for a first-team recall with two tries and two goals, Derek Chatt getting the Knights' other touchdown.

Player/assistant-coach Chris Thorman came through 25 minutes before being taken off and saved for tomorrow's Championship One clash at home to unbeaten Blackpool.

Playmaker Thorman is coming back from a month out with a quad injury.

Teenager Ed Smith, who was also supposed to play on both days after being a shock call-up to the first team, was withdrawn at half-time - but not before suffering a dead leg. It was hoped he would be okay to face Blackpool.

The Knights therefore played out the second period three replacements light, and with several men playing out of position, and they tailed off, having been well in the game at 22-16 down despite playing the first half up the slope at Oldham's Whitebank ground.

One positive, though, was the performance of prop Alex Benson, who is trying to force his way back into the first team. He played the full 80 minutes and stood out throughout.

Woods said: "He went really well and he will be coming back into contention."

Among other players to impress were former scholarship forward Josh Mortimer and Irish student Sean Carmody at full-back.

Woods said York Acorn ARLC prop Davey Burns also showed up well on his debut after joining the club on trial, though he now needed to work on his fitness.