MIKE EMBLETON is set to play for York City Knights reserves tonight – and he could be a shock call-up to the first team’s cup quarter-final on Sunday.

The York Acorn ARLC captain has now signed for the club – The Press revealed last week he was going for talks – and goes straight into the second-team side for tonight’s Reserve Team Championship match at home to Leigh Centurions (8pm).

Knights general manager Ian Wilson believes Embleton, 28, could also win himself a place in the squad for the weekend’s Northern Rail Cup knockout match away to Championship side Keighley, given the number of players either absent or on the treatment table.

Wilson said: “He’s been a top amateur for a number of years and has always been a standout player for Acorn. We fell he will add to our squad as an option in the centres or back row.”

Embleton’s initial role was likely to be at centre, as the Knights have looked to strengthen in that position for some time.

But he could now be given a run in the pack as the club have lost back-rowers Jordan Ross (knee), Steve Lewis (hamstring) and Chris Clough (suspended), as well as the axed Danny Hill.

The door was left ajar for Hill and pivot Joe McLocklan to return to the fold, after they were previously told to find new clubs, but neither turned up for training this week.

Wilson added of Embleton: “There’s a chance he could be selected for Sunday, depending on how he goes tonight.”

Embleton’s last spell at Huntington Stadium was back in 2003, before he returned to Acorn. An agreement is again in place allowing him to leave the Knights come the start of Acorn’s season if things are not working out.

He joins a number of Acorn products in tonight’s squad. Davey Burns plays his second game, while under-18s duo Anthony Chilton and James Mountford, former Knights scholarship players, are also included. Another ex-scholar, full-back/ winger Luke Campbell, gets another run as part of a four-week trial.

Ed Smith, who was denied his first-team debut on Sunday due to a dead leg picked up in the reserves’ loss at Oldham on Saturday, is named in an 18-man squad but faces a late fitness test.

Former North Yorkshire Service Area teenager Joe Maud, who plays for York RUFC, could come into the line-up in his stead.

Joe Dey, who is on loan from York to Hull academy, will play having come back to the Knights for a few weeks. Reserves coach Mick Ramsden reckons his young side face a big test. “It will be hard,” he said. “Leigh have been rolling everyone over, but it will be good to see where the lads are at.”

Knights reserves: from Carmody, Reittie, E Smith, Maud, Embleton, Campbell, Schofield, Woods, Burns, Mountford, Mortimer, Peacock, Dey, Rice, G Smith, Ljazouli, Mitchell.

• The Knights Supporters’ Club coach to Keighley on Sunday will leave The Ainsty at noon, Clarence Street at 12.15pm and Huntington Stadium at 12.30pm. Prices are £14 for adults or £6 for under-16s. To book, phone 07958 569266.