FIVE players are in the running to be York City Knights’ captain for their upcoming Championship season.

Jack Lee, Alex Benson, Duane Straugheir, Jonny Presley and Ryan Esders will battle it out to be head coach Dave Woods’ main man – but the Knights’ chief stressed his senior players will all take responsibility.

“I am used to working with having three captains,” he said. “The captain makes the decisions on the field, but there’s a captain for the right side and the left.

“It gives more blokes a bit of responsibility and it makes it a bit more competitive. The left side can argue that they didn’t let a try in during a match and so on.”

Woods could have plumped for player-coach Chris Thorman or new signing, and former Wakefield skipper, Jason Demetriou as captain but said it was important to let them get on with things on the pitch.

“As much experience as they have got, it is tough coming back from Super League and playing at this level,” he added.

“Everyone wants to give you a hard time and there’s enough pressure as it is.

“I expect them to be leaders on the field and I don’t want to put that added pressure on them. We just have to let them play their game.”

Meanwhile, the Knights last night unveiled their squad numbers for 2011, with star signing Demetriou wearing 37.

Knights 2011 squad numbers: 1 James Haynes, 2 Dave Sutton, 3 Duane Straugheir, 4 Lee Waterman, 5 Danny Wilson, 6 Chris Thorman, 7 Jonny Presley, 8 Nathan Freer, 9 Jack Lee, 10 Alex Benson, 11 Rhys Clarke, 12 Matt Barron, 13 Ryan Esders, 14 Jack Stearman, 15 Brett Waller, 16 Mike Mitchell, 17 Ian Bell, 18 Sam Lynch, 19 Matt Garside, 20 Tom Bush, 21 Dennis Tuffour, 22 Ed Smith, 23 Paul Stamp, 24 Mark Barlow, 25 Steve Lewis, 26 Davey Burns, 27 Scott Woods, 28 Chris Williams, 29 Dan Mole, 30 Jordan Rice, 31 Joe Dey, 32 Kristian Brining, 33 Tom Holmes, 34 Ash Winstanley, 35 Tom Lineham, 36 Ben Jones, 37 Jason Demetriou.